The WIDA English Language Development (ELD) Standards are a set of five standards designed to guide the instruction and assessment of multilingual learners. These standards define the language academic English language needed by students to engage with content and achieve in school.
Understanding the WIDA English Language Development Standards
The WIDA ELD Standards Framework codifies WIDA's approach to language development, providing a comprehensive structure that helps educators support multilingual learners across various academic contexts. These standards articulate the language expectations for students as they learn and apply language in different content areas and social settings.
The Five WIDA ELD Standards
The five WIDA ELD Standards focus on the language needed for students to succeed not only in academic subjects but also in social and instructional settings within the classroom environment. They cover key areas of communication and content-specific language.
Here are the five WIDA ELD Standards:
| Standard | Focus Area | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Social and Instructional Language | This standard focuses on the language multilingual learners need to interact effectively with peers and adults, follow instructions, and participate in classroom routines and activities. |
| 2 | The Language of Language Arts | This standard addresses the specific language demands for engaging with and comprehending language arts content, including reading, writing, listening, and speaking in literary and informational texts. |
| 3 | The Language of Mathematics | This standard centers on the language necessary for students to understand, interpret, and communicate mathematical concepts, solve problems, and reason mathematically. |
| 4 | The Language of Science | This standard covers the language required to explore scientific phenomena, conduct investigations, analyze data, and explain scientific concepts. |
| 5 | The Language of Social Studies | This standard focuses on the language needed to understand historical events, analyze social structures, interpret geographical information, and discuss civic responsibilities. |
Why are these standards important?
These standards are crucial for educators as they provide a clear framework for identifying the language demands of different content areas. By understanding these standards, teachers can:
- Design targeted instruction: Develop lessons that explicitly teach the academic language students need to access grade-level content.
- Assess language development: Monitor students' progress in acquiring academic English across various subjects.
- Promote academic achievement: Help multilingual learners develop the linguistic skills necessary to succeed in all aspects of their education.
By integrating these standards into curriculum and instruction, educators ensure that multilingual learners are supported in developing both their English language proficiency and their academic content knowledge.
