Holy Spirit's English Language Learners (ELL) page

English Language Learners (ELL)

Welcome! Oki! Bienvenue! Bienvenidos! Maligayang pagdating! 
Inikwani dehina met’aji! Chao mung! ‘Ahlaan bik! Drobrodosli! 
Yokoso! Benvenuto! Eoseo osibsio! Witamy!


The English as a Second Language (ESL) program serves students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 whose primary language is not English. These English Language Learners (ELLs) may be:

  • Foreign born - Immigrants or refugee students who have moved to Canada and speak or are exposed to a language other than, or in addition to, English at home
  • Canadian born - First Nations, Métis and Inuit students, Francophone students, or Canadian-born children of immigrants who live in homes in which they speak or are exposed to a language other than, or in addition to, English.

The ESL Program provides each English Language Learner with the opportunity to understand and appreciate the English language and to use it confidently and competently in a variety of situations for communication, personal satisfaction, and learning. Students are able to learn English while also learning about Canadian customs, values, and social expectations. This is done in an environment where they are encouraged to share their cultural experiences and where their linguistic and cultural diversity and contributions are celebrated holistically in the classroom.

English Language Learners are provided with many opportunities to become confident and competent users of the English language by engaging in educational activities where they listen, speak, read, write, view and represent the language. As such, students are provided with:

  • A strong instructional program that helps to develop their English Language Proficiency.
  • Access to a rich curriculum and services to help meet their educational needs

At the elementary and junior high school level, English Language Learners (ELLs) receive targeted language support in grade level classrooms, where individual, small group and large group instruction enhance their language proficiency. At the high school level, students may have the opportunity to learn English in a credited small group ESL program while completing a complementary regular high school program.

Parents wishing to register their children are welcome to contact the school for support with registration and to determine required documentation. Students new to Canada, whose first language is not English, will complete an intake assessment to help the school determine the needs of the student and to serve as a guide for programming.

For more information regarding the program, please contact:

Daphne Sander, English Language Learning Coordinator at (403) 327-9555.
OR 
Crystal Lothian, Director of Support Services, at (403) 327-9555.

For more information about ESL programming in Alberta, and ways to support your children’s learning, please click on the following Alberta Education links:

  • Alberta Education, ESL Grades 7-9, Parent Information: Grade 7-9
  • Alberta Education, ESL Grades 10-12, Parent Information: Grade 10-12
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