A Culturally and Linguistically Diverse School Context

Who Are ELL Students? 

School districts across the lower mainland in British Columbia are currently seeing a rise in the number of students whose first language is one other than English. These students may have recently moved to Canada with their families, may be here temporarily to study English, or were born in Canada, but primarily speak another language at home. All of these students come with a variety of skills, experiences, and backgrounds that make them unique. Some have little or no English and require extra supports and services at school to understand the language and participate in their classrooms. Others may have learned some English from family members or previous schooling, but still need some supports to understand BC curriculum or further develop reading and writing skills. Regardless of their backgrounds and English language skills, all of these students can greatly benefit from specialist teachers who can provide support and tailored instruction to meet their unique learning needs. This is where an English Language, or ELL teacher, comes in. These teachers have experience and training in teaching English Language Learners and can work with classroom teachers and other school staff to develop lessons, materials, and resources to help our ELL students meet their learning goals, develop social and academic language, and adjust to new school environments. 

According to immigrant demographics in Maple Ridge, BC (2023), the "number of immigrants settling in BC almost doubled between 2016 and 2021" (see image below). As a result of newcomer families settling into the area, local schools have seen a dramatic increase in the number of ELL students. In the past few years, families have come from a variety of countries, including India, Afghanistan, the Ukraine, Russia, China, the Philippines, Mexico and more. 

Image from: Number of immigrants in British Columbia 2023 | Statista

The role of the ELL Specialist teacher in our schools is multifaceted. These teachers assess student language abilities, create lessons and instruct students based on their learning goals, collaborate with classroom teachers to design materials that are equitable and meaningful, connect with parents and family members to relay important information, and liaise with community supports to assist newcomer families. With the number of English Language Learners continuing to grow in our schools, these teachers will continue to play an essential and vital role in helping students to not only develop their language skills, but also transition into a new school setting and community.