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Modern Language and English Language Learners

Modern Language and English Language Learners

On this page, you will find a list of courses offered, downloadable resources, staff contact information and promotional videos.

Melody Becker

Director of English Learners and Modern Languages

¡Bienvenido a Morton!  Es un orgullo ser parte de la comunidad Morton. I began my career as an ELL and Bilingual teacher at Morton West and later at Morton East, where I served as the Lead Teacher.

The great experiences I have had with students and staff at Morton always inform my work as the director of the English Learner and Modern Language Departments.  We believe that being bilingual and biliterate is an asset that our students bring to Morton.  We encourage students to develop their literacy in more than one language to promote understanding of themselves, their community, and the world. 

Degrees and Certifications

  • Governors State University, MA in Educational Leadership

  • De Paul University, BA in Secondary Education

Email Melody Becker

Mission

The mission of the J.S. Morton HSD 201 English Learner and Modern Language Department is to utilize students’ target language to develop multilingual, lifetime learners with an understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures, empowered to become productive citizens in all communities.

Vision

Our vision is to transform learning by enhancing all students’ prior knowledge and existing skills to be successful socially, emotionally, academically and professionally with the target language.

English Language Learners Courses

 

Click each course to view its description.

  • Course Description

    In this course, English Learner students focus on language development in the areas of speaking and writing. This course is for students who are new to English. Students will work with a variety of texts and projects to interact with the language. Students will take the ACCESS test to measure their language development. This course is an English credit towards graduation.

    CREDIT: 1.0
    GRADE: 9-12
    PREREQUISITE: None
    OFFERED: One year course

  • Course Description

    This course is a compliment to the ELL English I course. It provides students with an intensive study of reading and writing skills. Writing skills advance from the sentence level to paragraph level and eventually to essays and reports. Adapted reading materials are used for identifying main ideas, details as well as literal and inferential information.

    CREDIT: 1.0
    TYPE: Elective
    GRADE: 9-12
    PREREQUISITE: None
    OFFERED: One year course

  • Course Description

    In this course, English Learner students focus on language development in the areas of speaking and writing. This course is for students who have been studying English for less than three years. Students will work with a variety of texts and projects to interact with the language. Students will take the ACCESS test to measure their language development. This course is an English credit towards graduation.

    CREDIT: 1.0
    GRADE: 9-12
    PREREQUISITE: One year of ELL ENGLISH I
    OFFERED: One year course

  • Course Description

    In this course, English Learner students focus on language development in the areas of reading and listening. This course is for students who have been studying English for less than three years. Students will work with a variety of texts and projects to interact with the language.

    CREDIT: 1.0
    TYPE: Elective
    GRADE: 9-12
    PREREQUISITE: One year of ELL READING I
    OFFERED: One year course

  • Course Description

    This course is for students who understand and participate in everyday English conversation. Continued attention to speaking and listening is given. Emphasis is on English language structure. Writing is a primary focus. This course fulfills one unit of English credit.

    CREDIT: 1.0
    GRADE: 9-12
    PREREQUISITE: One year of ELL ENGLISH III
    OFFERED: One year course

  • Course Description

    This course is for students who understand and participate in everyday English conversation as well as in academic settings. Students will continue to expand and strengthen their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. This course fulfills one unit of English credit.

    CREDIT: 1.0
    GRADE: 9-12
    PREREQUISITE: One year of ELL ENGLISH III
    OFFERED: One year course

Mandarin Chinese Courses

 

Students who take Mandarin Chinese courses will meet college entrance requirements, prepare for the AP exam, and earn college credit in high school. Students will also learn the Chinese language and build skills to prepare for careers in many areas.

Click each course to view its description.

  • Course Description

    Students begin to speak, read and write in the language as well as study the culture and geography of those who speak it.

    CREDIT: 1.0
    TYPE: Elective
    GRADE: 9-12
    PREREQUISITE: None
    OFFERED: One year course

  • Course Description

    This course is the second course in the series for Chinese. Students will continue to develop their understanding of Chinese Language and Culture. Students will develop their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Students will also enjoy experiences that help them understand and appreciate customs, food, music, dance, holidays and ceremonies.

    CREDIT: 1.0
    TYPE: Elective
    GRADE: 10-12
    PREREQUISITE: One year of CHINESE I
    OFFERED: One year course

  • Course Description

    This course is the third course in the series for Chinese. Students will continue to develop their understanding of Chinese Language and Culture. Students will develop their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Students will also enjoy experiences that help them understand and appreciate customs, food, music, dance, holidays and ceremonies.

    CREDIT: 1.0
    TYPE: Elective
    GRADE: 11-12
    PREREQUISITE: One year of CHINESE II
    OFFERED: One year course

  • Course Description

    This course is the third course in the series for Chinese. Students will continue to develop their understanding of Chinese Language and Culture. Students will develop their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Students will also enjoy experiences that help them understand and appreciate customs, food, music, dance, holidays, and ceremonies.

    CREDIT: 1.0
    TYPE: Elective/Honors
    GRADE: 12
    PREREQUISITE: One year of CHINESE III
    OFFERED: One year course

French Course Descriptions

 

Click each course to view its description.

  • Course Description

    Students begin to speak, read and write in the language as well as study the culture and geography of those who speak it.

    CREDIT: 1.0
    TYPE: Elective
    GRADE: 9-12
    PREREQUISITE: None
    OFFERED: One year course

  • Course Description

    This course is the second course in the series for French. Students will continue to develop their understanding of French Language and Culture. Students will develop their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Students will also enjoy experiences that help them understand and appreciate customs, food, music, dance, holidays and ceremonies.

    CREDIT: 1.0
    TYPE: Elective
    GRADE: 10-12
    PREREQUISITE: One year of FRENCH I
    OFFERED: One year course

  • Course Description

    This course is the third course in the series for French. Students will continue to develop their understanding of French Language and Culture. Students will use their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills previously learned in different projects and presentations based on French-speaking countries. Students will also enjoy experiences that help them understand and appreciate customs, food, music, dance, holidays and ceremonies. Course is given in mostly French.

    CREDIT: 1.0
    TYPE: Elective
    GRADE: 11-12
    PREREQUISITE: One year of FRENCH II
    OFFERED: One year course

  • Course Description

    Students will continue to read, speak and write in French, continue the study of cultures of French­ speaking countries and read a variety of literary works written in French. Students are required to take the AP French Language and Culture exam.

    CREDIT: 1.0
    TYPE: Elective/Honors
    GRADE: 12
    PREREQUISITE: One year of FRENCH III
    OFFERED: One year course

Spanish Course Descriptions

 

Click each course to view its description.

  • Course Description

    ​​​​​​​Students begin to speak, read and write in the language as well as study the culture and geography of those who speak it.

    CREDIT: 1.0
    TYPE: Elective
    GRADE: 9-12
    PREREQUISITE: None
    OFFERED: One year course

  • Course Description

    This course is the second course in the series for Spanish. Students will continue to develop their understanding of Spanish Language and Culture. Students will develop their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Students will also enjoy experiences that help them understand and appreciate customs, food, music, dance, holidays and ceremonies.

    CREDIT: 1.0
    TYPE: Elective
    GRADE: 9-12
    PREREQUISITE: One year of SPANISH I
    OFFERED: One year course

  • Course Description

    This course is the third course in the series for Spanish. Students will continue to develop their understanding of Spanish Language and Culture. Students will use their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills previously learned in different projects and presentations based on Spanish-speaking countries. Students will also enjoy experiences that help them understand and appreciate customs, food, music, dance, holidays and ceremonies. Course is given in mostly Spanish.

    CREDIT: 1.0
    TYPE: Elective
    GRADE: 9-12
    PREREQUISITE: One year of SPANISH II
    OFFERED: One year course

  • Course Description

    This course is designed for students with an advanced speaking and writing skills in Spanish. Students will study culture from Spanish-speaking countries using reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Students will enjoy various readings and activities concerning festivities, important historical events, different indigenous groups, and works of influential authors of Spanish-speaking countries as well as learn about the Latinos in the United States and how they have shaped the Latino communities as well as the economy and education in the United States. Course is given all in Spanish.

    CREDIT: 1.0
    TYPE: Elective
    GRADE: 9-12
    PREREQUISITE: One year of SPANISH III OR PLACEMENT TEST
    OFFERED: One year course

  • Course Description

    This course is designed for students with an advanced speaking and writing skills in Spanish. Students will study Hispanic culture using reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Students will enjoy various readings and activities concerning festivities, important historical events and works of influential authors of Spanish-speaking countries. Course is given in all Spanish.

    CREDIT: 1.0
    TYPE: Elective
    GRADE: 10-12
    PREREQUISITE: One year of SPANISH LANGUAGE ARTS IV OR PLACEMENT TEST
    OFFERED: One year course

  • Course Description

    Students will continue to read, speak and write in Spanish, continue the study of cultures of Spanish-speaking countries and read a variety of literary works written in Spanish. Students are required to take the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam.

    CREDIT: 1.0
    TYPE: Elective/Honors
    GRADE: 10-12
    PREREQUISITE: One year of SPANISH LANGUAGE ARTS IV OR SPANISH LANGUAGE ARTS V OR PLACEMENT TEST
    OFFERED: One year course

  • Course Description

    Students will continue to read, speak, listen and write in Spanish. They will continue to study the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries and read a variety of literary works in Spanish. Emphasis is given to preparation for the AP Spanish Literature exam. Students are required to take the AP Spanish Literature and Culture exam.

    CREDIT: 1.0
    TYPE: Elective/Honors
    GRADE: 11-12
    PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of SPANISH LANGUAGE ARTS IV, SPANISH LANGUAGE ARTS V, AP SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
    OFFERED: One year course

  • Course Description

    This course supports the goals of the Portrait of a Morton Graduate Career Focus. Students will prepare for certification in Translation and Interpretation. This course helps students prepare for the Seal of Biliteracy. This course prepares students for using their Spanish language assets in a work setting. Students will be able to prove their language skills and report them on their resume.

    CREDIT: 1.0
    TYPE: Elective/Honors
    GRADE: 10-12
    PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of SPANISH LANGUAGE ARTS IV, SPANISH LANGUAGE ARTS V, AP SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE, AP SPANISH LITERATURE AND CULTURE 
    OFFERED: One year course