View KLA Structure for all Levels

Communication

In stage B1, the focus of the Communication substrand is on the development of ESL students' initial capacity to manage the English-speaking environment of the classroom and playground. Students at this stage are already literate in their first language to the level that would be expected for their age. Teachers establish classroom contexts that allow students to successfully learn English, learn through English and develop English literacy skills. Students are introduced to new English, and supported through clear contexts and non-verbal and visual cues. New language is continually recycled and re-presented in new contexts in both written and oral forms. Students are encouraged to be creative with their developing English language resources and to adapt them to new communicative demands.

Aspects of language

Contexual understanding

In stage B1, the focus of the Contextual understanding substrand is on students' initial understanding that aspects of English change to fulfil different basic situational and sociocultural functions, and on how they use their limited English to fulfil the same functions. Students understand the role of English in the classroom as the language of communication and learning. They begin to adapt their developing English skills to deal with many different language functions, and the appropriateness of their attempts increases as they both learn more English, and learn how English changes according to context and purpose.

Linguistic structures and features

In stage B1, the focus of the Linguistic structures and features substrand is on the way students use their limited English resources to take part socially and academically in the classroom. By using English as their main means of communication in the classroom, students become familiar with basic everyday social and school English. They extend their English repertoire and increase accuracy of structure as they build on learned patterns and use familiar language in new circumstances. Students are encouraged to use their English resources creatively in order to communicate in new situations.

Strategies

In stage B1, the focus of the Strategies substrand is on the development of initial strategies for maintaining and enhancing communication in English. Many of the strategies which students use at this level are similar to the strategies they have used when learning, and learning through, their first language. Students are developing useful coping strategies to help them to sustain and enhance their communication in English. Teachers encourage students to use their first language to clarify and reflect on tasks with other learners, and to continue to read and write in their first language.