ELLP and ELLP Pathway

The English Language Learning Progressions (ELLP) is a key planning, teaching, and assessment resource aimed at all teachers of all levels working with students learning English as an additional language. Guidance can be adapted to all curriculum areas and will support teachers choose content, vocabulary, and tasks that are appropriate to each learner's age, stage, and language-learning needs. 

ELLP describes five stages of English language acquisition, from foundation stage to stage 4. The progressions are presented in four booklets: 

• An introductory book, which presents information and understandings about learning an additional language, and explains what teachers need to know about their learners to maximise their learning and participation.
• Three year-level booklets, which describe typical patterns of progress for learners through the stages in the modes of speaking, listening, reading and writing. These books help teachers to choose content, vocabulary, and tasks that are appropriate to each learner's age, stage, and language-learning needs.

We recommend reading the ELLP introduction booklet in conjunction with the appropriate year levelled book. 

See Materials that come with this resource at the top of the page to download:

• ELLP-Years-1-4-booklet (.pdf)
• ELLP-Years-5-8-booklet (.pdf)
• ELLP-Years-9-13-booklet (.pdf)

The five stages of the progressions are set out in a simplified rubric form called the ELLP matrices. 

The English Language Learning Progressions (ELLP) Pathway is a planning, teaching, and assessment resource aimed at all teachers of all levels working with students who are learning English as an additional language. It is particularly helpful for primary schools and for secondary schools working with learners at the early stages of learning English. Guidance can be adapted to all curriculum areas and will support teachers to choose content, vocabulary, and tasks that are appropriate to each learner's age, stage, and language-learning needs. 

The ELLP Pathway is a supplementary resource, designed to provide additional detail about the stages of English language acquisition described in the English Language Learning Progressions (ELLP). The stages in both resources align, although the ELLP Pathway resource does not detail stage 4 of the English Language Learning Progressions. Secondary teachers, with older learners working in stage 4, will need to refer to the English Language Learning Progressions. 

The ELLP Pathway includes links to teaching strategies and suggestions as well as short video clips focussing on knowing your learner, and how to support your learner in the classroom.  

See Materials that come with this resource at the top of the page to download: 

• ELLP-Pathway (.doc)

You can also download a Google doc version of this resource here.

There are professional development modules available to help you better understand both ELLP and the ELLP Pathway. 

ELLP 

Key messages to know before you start

ELLP plays a vital role in planning for students in a small group or classroom programme. Before you start planning, look at the key messages slides to find out what to look for.

The Key messages slides can be viewed here on the ESOL Online website. 

Completing the ELLP matrices

If you are looking for support with completing the matrices or exemplification and/or clarification of the matrix descriptors, these slides cover each of the matrices for primary and secondary schools. The slides can be downloaded and personalised to your school context if required, or used as they are for professional development for syndicates, departments or whole staff. 

The Completing the ELLP matrices slides can be viewed here on the ESOL Online website.

Using the ELLP matrices information

If you are looking for support with using the ELLP matrices to inform planning and teaching, three annotated film clips show groups of primary and intermediate teachers as they plan classroom programmes with English language learners in mind: 

• Using the matrices to plan – two examples of teachers using the ELLP information to identify student needs in English language learning.
• Classroom practice – what it might look like in the classroom.
• ESOL support programmes – how the ELLP information might be used to develop English language support programmes.

The Using the ELLP matrices slides can be viewed here on the ESOL Online website.

ELLP Pathway

English Language Learning Progressions (ELLP) Pathway professional development module is a self-access professional development module on the ELLP Pathway document. 

It explains the features of the resource and how the ELLP Pathway can be used to meet the English language learning needs of emergent bilingual and multilingual students. It also explores where the ELLP Pathway sits in the suite of Ministry ESOL resources. The module is self-pacing, with places to pause and complete 3 optional tasks. 

The module will take approximately 45 minutes to an hour to complete. 

The module could be used to lead a team meeting, for a whole school professional learning session, or to upskill yourself personally.

Before you start the video, download and print the ELLP Pathway and the three tasks so you can refer to them.

We also recommend viewing the collection of videos on the ESOL Online website that focus on knowing your learner, and how to support your learner in the classroom. 

You can access the videos here on the ESOL Online website.

Funding

The Ministry of Education provides ESOL funding to schools for eligible students. More information about the eligibility criteria and the ESOL funding application process can be found here.

Record requirements

If you are applying for ESOL funding, you will need to record and retain student progress on either an ELLP Record of Progress or an ELLP Pathway Record of Progress.

See Materials that come with this resource at the top of the page to download:

• ELLP-Record-of-Progress (.doc)
• ELLP-Pathway-Record-of-Progress (.doc)

You can also download a Google doc version of the ELLP Pathway Record of Progress here: ELLP Pathway Record of Progress.

You record the achieved ELLP stages, in speaking, listening, reading and writing, on your ESOL funding application.