Continuum Language D6 Policy

 

Greeley-Evans District 6 IB Language Policy Philosophy 

Greeley West High School is a candidate school* for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Career-related Programme. This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. These are schools that share a common philosophy-a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that Greeley West High School believes is important to our students.

*Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme, or the Career-related Programme (CP).  Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit www.ibo.org

Dos Rios Elementary Primary Years Programme, Brentwood Middle School Middle Years Programme, and Greeley West High School Middle Years Programme, Career-Related Programme, and Diploma Programme form the Greeley-Evans D-6 IB Continuum. We believe that language is the key to learning and literacy, and language leads to success in all content classes. Language gives us the ability to communicate ideas, learn, and think. It allows us to interact with a variety of people. We believe it is the most important link to the world around us. We value language as key to developing critical thinking; therefore, all teachers in our IB Continuum are Language teachers who teach the skills of communication and literacy across the content classes. 

In District 6, we value language development and understand that in order to be internationally minded, students must communicate in more than one language. All IB students enroll in either French or Spanish classes for a minimum of two years, or they are students who are in a Multilanguage Learning (ML) class to acquire their target language: English. The acquisition of language is an active process taught through authentic experiences, integrating the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It is our goal to develop the language skills of each student to the highest level, enabling them to communicate successfully in local and global communities and build intercultural understanding. 

Background 

District 6 consists of a rich mosaic of students from the United States as well as other parts of the world. The diverse languages, cultures, and nationalities found within our schools means there are varying levels of academic and language proficiencies. Of the approximate 2,000 student population at Greeley West High School, around 40% of students are identified as Multilingual Learners as identified by the WIDA-ACCESS. Overwhelmingly, English is the language of instruction and communication used in the school. 

Mother Tongue Support 

English is promoted as the language of instruction within our district. All students are enrolled in a Language and/or Literature class every year for three to four years. 

The development and maintenance of English for all learners is supported by regular assessment of student learning. Greeley West High School offers Oral Language A, B, C, and Sheltered content classes.  Examples include English 9, 10, IB Language and Literature, IB Literature, IB French and Spanish B, and Computer Science.  Co-taught Language Arts classes are provided for additional language supports at all levels. We also have ML support classes, such as Language Development 1. Student results are reviewed and utilized for proper Language Arts support annually, and inform future instruction for teachers. Language assessments include, but are not limited to the following: 

1. Three writing tasks annually: 

● Persuasive writing task 

● Expository writing task 

● Narrative writing task 

2. NWEA, WIDA, ASVAB, and PSAT assessments of English Language Arts/literacy proficiency. All teachers are expected to: 

a. Have students reading and writing across all curricula. 

b. Teach the vocabulary of their respective curricula. 

c. Have students convey the meaning of content through speaking. 

d. Have students communicate with fluency in social and academic contexts. 

Language Acquisition & Development 

At Greeley West High School, all students have equal access to IB Diploma and Career-related courses regardless of their English language background, with a co-taught model in IB Language and Literature for students not yet proficient in English. 

All students have access to year-long Language B Courses. Students enrolled in the IB Diploma Program must complete the two-year Language B course per IB requirements. Most Diploma students take two years of a Language B program. To ensure preserving students’ mother tongue, extension activities and inclusion of higher-level synthesis questions are performed. Students enrolled in the IB Career-related Program will complete a minimum of 50 hours of language and cultural studies through advisory coursework and IB language courses. 

Students select the Language B course based on their area of interest and personal goals. Greeley West High School provides 4-5 levels of classes in both French and Spanish. Students who enter with a language proficiency in Spanish and want to take Spanish courses for their Language B, are assessed to identify the level most appropriate for their skill and knowledge. 

Greeley West High School has many practices and resources in place to involve parents in the planning of their student’s language profile and development. Communications home are provided

in both English and Spanish (the primary second language); additionally, the announcements are also made in multiple languages. Other supports include the following: 

1. Parent-Teacher Conferences are held quarterly. Parents are invited and encouraged to make appointments with their student’s teachers at any time during the year. Translation, if needed for parents, is offered 

2. The distribution of the results of the WIDA tests and explanation of tests and results before the end of the year, which helps determine language supports for the following year. 

3. Parent phone calls and robocalls are routine, allowing parent/teacher communication with home language translation. 

4. Parents can access the school and teachers’ websites for assignments and school news 

5. Parents have access to a parent portal to access students’ grades and assignments 

Greeley West offers English Language Development courses for ML students. The primary purpose of these courses is to develop communication skills, build vocabulary, and focus on reading, writing, and cultural norms. These courses are intended to serve students who are relatively new to English, as required by the Office of Civil Rights. This series of courses builds capacity for non-English speakers to acquire academic and social language skills. Brentwood follows the State of Colorado measure of district growth of English Learners through English language proficiency assessment results (WIDA-Access). 

In alignment with the IB Career-related Programme (CP), language development is essential for all CP students, regardless of their intended career pathway. Students are supported in developing proficiency in a language beyond their standard language which is chosen based on their personal, academic, or career-related goals. Not only supporting language acquisition but also intercultural understanding and engagement with real-world professional contents. CP language instruction reinforces communication skills required in students’ career-related studies and global citizenship. 

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools can assist students with language development, including grammar, clarity, and vocabulary support. While AI is a helpful resource, students must use it ethically, ensuring that final work reflects their authentic language ability. Proper citation of AI contributions is required to maintain academic honesty and support genuine language acquisition. 

 

Cultural Appreciation 

Greeley West High School is a culturally and ethnically diverse school that develops an understanding of the perspectives of students from different backgrounds and emphasizes developing global awareness, cultural understanding, bi and/or multilingualism, and global engagement. West develops students’ ability 

to think critically about a range of global issues in all subject areas, including science, social studies, math, and English. This aligns with IB Career-related Program commitment, nurturing cross-cultural communication and appreciating diverse local and global communities.

● Teachers teach students about global issues and people from a wide range of cultures and traditions. Cultural awareness is promoted by the following: 

● Teachers structure their teaching to acknowledge different perspectives 

● Teachers use scaffolding techniques in instruction for students who are ML

● Teachers draw on materials from a range of different cultures that promote understanding and multiculturalism

● Teachers and administrators maintain contact with families 

● Diversity Day annual assembly and activities

● Culturally diverse displays in classrooms and hallways 

● Culture Fair/Exhibition 

Language in the Learner Profile 

Keeping with the Learner Profile, Greeley West utilizes a language-specific Learner Profile as it pertains to the students and teachers. 

Inquirer - use language to gain new information or knowledge in order to make sense of the world. 

Thinker - able to express thoughts and ideas clearly and succinctly 

Communicator - competent users of oral and written language in a variety of situations; listen attentively to details; speak confidently; read and write with fluency and comprehend what is conveyed 

Risk-Taker - willing to attempt to read, write, and speak in all situations 

Knowledgeable - have acquired vocabulary and understanding to discuss literary styles Caring - show caring in use of language and the effect language has on others 

Principled - aware that language is powerful and has a profound effect; must use it responsibly 

Balanced - express themselves orally, visually, and in written form and balance listening and speaking when communicating with others 

Reflective - reflect on their language and usage and development and continuously work towards proficiency 

Open-minded - respect the differences and similarities in languages, dialects, and personal communication skills 

Our language beliefs hold true for all students, and we will continuously strive to provide opportunities for our students to learn in rich language environments, keeping in mind the individual needs of each child. Overall, the District 6 IB Continuum is committed to developing lifelong language learners who use their skills to make a positive difference in the world. 

Review Process: 

Administration and counseling review student data in regards to language after registration every spring Last review was September 24, 2025. The next review is scheduled for September 2026. 

Supports for students and families 

District provided translational services through Language Link and Bloomz

Directions are shared with staff to ensure all stakeholders are aware of this service. Each school is assigned a school code and available for staff. For any questions or support, please call the District 6 Family Center at 970-348-4700. 

Annual WIDA testing to assess language acquisition. This information links to the student profile in Infinite Campus and is accessible to teachers and counselors 

Multilingual Learner (ML) department, sheltered classes, and tutoring support for qualifying students. 

Home Language Survey is given to families at registration annually. This information is used by the school to ensure equitable communication with students and families

Reviewing also ensures compliance with IB Career-related Program language and cultural studies learning goals, to support and  improve our program.