ELA – English Language Acquisition

• All immigrants, refugees, or U.S. Citizens over 18 years of age whose first language is not English are eligible for our programs. Students between the ages of 16 to 18 years of age should inquire with our ABE / GED / HS+ programs.  
• Persons with Foreign Student Visas (J-1, F-1, M-1, B-1, or B-2) may not participate in publicly-funded education. International students should inquire with the Bellevue College English Language Institute. 

All Basic Education and Transitional Studies courses at Bellevue College are aligned with (CCRs) College & Career Readiness Standards as mandated by WIOA. English Language Proficiency Standards for Adult Education (ELPs) are companion standards that assist English Language Acquisition programs to align with the CCRs. Some of our ELA courses elect to align with ELPs to better articulate English proficiency standards, outcomes, and assessments. These standards are shared in the master course outline, student learning outcomes, and course syllabus, and are the basis for curriculum and lessons. Faculty are responsible for teaching towards these standards to support student achievement of course outcomes to pass a course or move up through EFLs. 

Students develop reading, writing, speaking, listening, and using technology in the context of civic engagement.   

This is beginning English foundations for English Language Learners.  

ELA courses are designed to build English skills through topics tied to Bellevue College pathways: 

• business technology
• health and science
• education, digital literacy, and community engagement

Beginning Literacy 10 credits

Students develop reading, writing, speaking, listening, and using technology in the context of civics, health, or financial literacy. This is beginning English foundations for English Language Learners.    

Literacy Levels 3/4/5/6 10 credits

Students develop reading, writing, speaking, listening, and using technology in the context of Social Science, Public Service & Community Engagement, and Health Science. These courses serve low, intermediate, and high level English Language Learners. 

ELA 27 Project IDEA 10 credits

Students in Project Integrated Digital English Acceleration develop reading, writing, speaking, listening, and technology skills through rotating topics within Health Science, Business, Career Exploration, and Washington State History. Students learn to use a computer to do assignments.   

This is high-beginning to low-intermediate English for English Language Learners.   

ELA 30 Preparing for Work 5 credits

Students develop reading, writing, speaking, listening, and using technology in the context of Business and Technology. Students explore the job market, set career goals, learn job search strategies, identify strengths, and develop resumes, cover letters, and interview skills.  

This is low-intermediate to Advanced English.  

ELA 31 English at Work 5 credits

Students develop writing, reading, speaking, and listening skills while learning to communicate effectively with supervisors, coworkers, and customers. Students will understand vocabulary for workplace documents and health and safety.   

This is intermediate to advanced English for English Language Learners.  

ELA 40 English for Health 5 credits

Students develop speaking, listening, and reading skills in the context of health and learn words and phrases to talk about health emergencies. The course covers the language needed to prepare for CPR certification for families and community. This is high beginning to intermediate English for English Language Learners.   

ELA 50 English for Education 5 credits

Students develop reading, speaking, and listening skills while preparing for CRLA tutor certification. Students develop vocabulary and practice professional, culturally responsive communication while participating in tutor training. The course covers learning theories, laws, procedures, and methods for creating supportive learning environments. This is high intermediate to advanced English. 

ELA 51 English for Digital Storytelling 5 credits

Students develop speaking, listening, digital literacy and technology skills in the context of business and visual storytelling. Students explore design thinking and digital content skills through project-based learning. Students create video projects for business, documentary, or education.    

This is intermediate to Advanced English.   

ELA Support 5 credits

ELA provides Speaking & Listening and Reading & Writing classes for the various language levels in support of the content courses above. 

Placement

The placement policies are used to place students in integrated skills courses in which they will be most successful and achieve the most outcome. 

ELA considers four essential language skills when placing students: readings, listening, writing, and speaking. When a student’s scores indicate diverging levels in the four essential skills, the student is placed in the lowest skill. 

If a student requests to challenge a placement, the following should be considered:

• other skills must support placement
• space is available in requested course

Note, students must understand that:

• If a student remains in the lower-level option and successfully completes the course and makes progress, the student can move up after one quarter.
• If a student takes a higher-level option and experiences difficulty in the class, the student cannot go back down a level. They must make progress in one or two more quarters at the higher-level to remain in the program. 

Progress

Students who receive a grade of 75% or more in a course demonstrates having met the course outcomes. Those who receive a “NC” grade may repeat the course. 

Students may not repeat a course more than three times. A student who has not successfully completed a course after three attempts will be advised to step out of the program until there is a change that will allow the student to make the expected progress. Such student will also be referred to other community programs that may better meet his or her needs. 

Progress is determined by:

• grades for assignments and tests.
  • This progress can be monitored within a student’s CANVAS course shell.
• CASAS reading and listening testing each quarter as well as performance in writing and speaking within class.
  • CASAS post-testing and finals are posted in the Course Syllabus and communicated with students in advance.
  • A student should communicate with the instructor if there is a testing conflict so testing can be rescheduled per our progression policy. 

Basic and Transitional Studies courses are graded to show a student’s course completion and progress. Students will be awarded a grade based on the assessment of their ability to meet the outcomes of the course. 

Upon completion of courses, grades are recorded as such:

• Grades “B” or above demonstrate meeting learning outcomes and earn high school credit.
• Grades “CR” denotes that outcomes of the course were met.
• Grades “NC” denotes that outcomes of the course were not met. 

Grade Scale

A     90-100%

B     80-89%

CR   75-79%

NC  Not yet complete