ELL & Art Intensive (English Language Learners)

With a wealth of experience teaching English, we know that language acquisition is most successful when learners gain confidence in themselves and have fun in the process. The key to such success is getting students to think critically and engage artistically with a variety of stress-free platforms that foster community, allowing you, the English Language Learner, to get one step closer to fluency.

Idyllwild Arts Academy’s World Languages and English for Academic Communication enables students whose first language is not English to meet the academic requirements for graduation, as outlined by the Student-Parent Handbook and prescribed by the University of California Admissions Standards. Our department offers multiple levels of instruction. Its rigorous and supportive model, in an immersive environment, develops proficiency in oral and written English. All core departmental classes include listening, speaking, reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar. Small class sizes facilitate individual attention by teachers committed to increasing intercultural understanding as well as language proficiency.

New international students must take our own comprehensive English-skills test (usually given during an online interview) to determine their appropriate starting levels in English. During the first week of class, teachers observe and evaluate each student to make sure this starting level is correct. Teachers then monitor each student’s progress with a broad range of continuous-assessment tools and an end-of-semester level check. Progress to the next level of English instruction is determined by the student’s arts and academic teachers’ recommendations, as well as by class performance.

With a wealth of experience teaching English, we know that language acquisition is most successful when learners gain confidence in themselves and have fun in the process. The key to such success is getting students to think critically and engage artistically with a variety of stress-free platforms that foster community, allowing you, the English Language Learner, to get one step closer to fluency.

Once or Twice per Week: Excursions to locations throughout Southern CA

On the days that excursions are not planned:

• 8-8:30am – Breakfast
• 9-11:50am – English – Integrated Language Skills
• 12-1pm – Lunch
• 1-3:50pm – Arts
• 4:30-5:30pm – Free Time
• 5:30-6:30pm – Dinner
• 6:30-7:30pm – Room Study
• 7:30-9:30pm – Evening Activities/Games
• 11pm – Lights Out

Free time can include swimming in our on-campus pool, going on a hike, games in the common room, or just taking a break to relax.

TBD