ELA is an abbreviation for English Language Arts, which encompasses all areas of the English language. The language arts definition includes reading, writing and composition, grammar, vocabulary, and public speaking, as well as the study of literature from all eras. ELA even includes the study of the history and development of English and its expression as a written language.
Reading and writing have long formed the core focus of ELA education. Proficiency in each is deemed by many as a sign of mastery within the language. In order to deepen reading and writing skills, students often focus on learning vocabulary and have a strong grasp of grammar and sentence structure. Public speaking is an area where mastery of a language is very apparent. It enables a speaker to display their vocabulary skills as well as their level of understanding of the nuances that occur within English as a spoken language.
Literature can be defined as written works but often includes spoken material too. There is a vast array of genres in the literary world from novels to poetry, drama to academic writing.
As with all languages, each of the 'sections' within the English Language Arts overlap. Vocabulary and grammar are of importance when engaging in public speaking, and these elements are also crucial to fully understand the world of literature.
Learn the definition and usage of grammar in the English language. Discover the grammar rules and structures by accessing the grammar courses and resources.
View literature education resources on skills and practice work. Learn types of literature such as short stories, American literature, and English literature.
Find public speaking resources for education and learn about public speaking techniques. In addition, read about public speaking skills and oratory skills.
View reading education resources, see lesson plans for teachers, and find homeschool curricula and more. Learn more through reading courses like Reading Fundamentals.
Discover what vocabulary is. Learn about building vocabulary words with the courses found on this page. See vocabulary resources and practice vocab skills.
See writing and composition educational resources and learn about different types of writing. Find courses such as College Composition and Writing Fundamentals.
There are thousands of resources delving into each aspect of English Language Arts. Accessible, bit-sized content is available for a variety of grade levels and learning goals. Study.com has ELA resources for learners with many different goals; browse our courses to help supplement your in-class learning, access tutoring help for personalized study assistance, or find lesson plans to use in the classroom.
Our library of English Language Arts courses touches upon main topics in language arts. Engaging with these courses allow learners to strengthen areas of the ELA curriculum that they have an interest in and they can also help to provide teachers with great supplementary material for lessons. Study.com ELA courses can be a great resource for instructors looking to align their curriculum planning with common core standards, especially if teaching in states like California and New York that utilize common core as the backbone of student curriculum.
This course helps learners to gain an intro to college-level understanding of literary devices used in various types of literature. Students who take this can expect to be prepared to take the AP English Literature exam.
This is an introductory credit-granting college course that introduces learners to literature. Explore and understand how to understand, analyze and respond to major works of literature from significant periods across history.
This course helps the learner to gain a deep understanding of literary devices used in various types of literature which will help with the preparation on the AP English Literature exam.
Students taking this course can expect a gateway into college-level language skills and essay writing formats and expectations. This course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement English Language exam.
High School students who engage with this course deepen their knowledge of the main concepts of ELA, including improving writing skills and analyzing literary works. Learn essential 12th grade ELA curriculum skills.
English Language Arts teachers can access high-quality lesson plans and activities. Study.com offers hundreds of English Lesson plans, activities, and assignments to support teachers to create holistic lessons. These plans cover the main topics of the ELA curriculum. This library of resources is organized by category.
Supplement your planning with these resources that cover the essential topics in Language Arts at a variety of student levels. Incorporate strategies to help students learn and retain the basics of grammar, phonics and spelling.
These lesson plans and games can assist instructions looking for fun and varied ways they can teach grammar, including the parts of speech, including verbs, adverbs, adjectives, and nouns as well as syntax.
Explore resources and activities that help students establish understandings of literary skills and techniques. Various lesson plans explores components like plot, characters, setting, theme and point of view.
These lesson plans will assist teachers to establish the fundamental aspects of literary analysis including irony, foreshadowing and rhetoric. Engage your students with Study.com's literary analysis activities and scenarios.
This collection of resources can help teachers supplement their writing and composition curriculum. Resources include lesson plans, writing prompts, rubrics, and sample questions for a variety of writing styles.
Introduce your students to famous authors like Jane Austen, Edgar Allan Poe & Kurt Vonnegut. Use engaging intros and thought-provoking discussion questions to help students connect to these works.
Use these lesson plans to prepare to teach your students about reading and analyzing non-fiction literature. Lesson plans focus on a variety of non-fiction types, including diaries, memoirs and literary & philosophical essays.
This collection includes activities for identifying techniques used in poetry, as well as analysis of different genres of poetry. These ready to use poetry lesson plans & activities are suited for classroom use.
Use these resources to assist when planning your Shakespeare units. Find essay prompts to let your students explore themes and characterization, or use lesson plans and activities to keep your classroom engaged.
Use our English ELA skill practice to help students master important literacy skills. When engaging with any aspect of English Language Arts, you are not only learning content, but also practical skills that can be used as tools in all aspects of education, as well as in the workforce and day-to-day life. English language skills permeate through all aspects of ELA, from reading, writing, and grammar to speaking, listening, and vocabulary. Students can explore and refine their skills by engaging with a variety of reading material, analyzing a range of literary genres, delving into the rules of grammar, and learning how to plan and write in different styles. Various skills can be associated with each part of the English language.
Browse our full ELA skill collection, or explore skills that align to your current grade level learning. Use Study.com's skills to review ELA content from the prior year, or look ahead to see what you can expect to practice next!
You can browse our full ELA skills collection categorized by grade:
Homeschool students can access a full homeschool English (ELA) curriculum from Study.com, with lessons, assignments and projects, and resources and guidance for parents. The collection of courses aimed at Middle School includes this course that focuses on the 6th Grade Language Arts: Homeschool Curriculum. For High School level the 9th Grade English: Homeschool Curriculum is one of a number of courses that can be used to ensure a rounded experience of the ELA curriculum. Similarly, if a student is engaging with either AP English Language or AP English Literature these courses will help to prepare them to take the AP exam.
Homeschool solutions
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English Language Arts, or ELA, encompasses all of the components of the language including, reading, writing, public speaking, grammar, vocabulary and literary works.
An ELA teacher will teach one or all of the language components including, reading, writing, public speaking, grammar, vocabulary and literary works. As each area naturally blends into the others there is often overlap.
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