New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 6 - PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
Chapter 29 - STANDARDS FOR EXCELLENCE
Part 5 - ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
Section 6.29.5.7 - DEFINITIONS

A. "Academic content standards" means statements that define the knowledge and skills students need to know and be able to demonstrate as proof of competency in the core content areas associated with schooling.

B. "Academic language" means the language used in academic content in formal schooling contexts, including specialized or technical language and discourse related to each content area.

C. "Discourse" means extended, connected language that may include explanations, descriptions and propositions.

D. "English language learners" (ELL) means a student whose first or heritage language is not English and who is unable to read, write, speak, or understand English at a level comparable to grade-level English proficient peers and native English speakers.

E. "Heritage language" means a language other than English that is inherited from a family, tribe, community or country of origin.

F. "Language domains" means the four main subdivisions of language: listening, speaking, reading and writing.

G. "Levels of English language proficiency" means the arbitrary division of the second language acquisition continuum into stages of language development.

H. "Listening" means the ability to process, understand, interpret and evaluate spoken language in a variety of situations.

I. "Reading" means the ability to process, understand, interpret and evaluate written language, symbols and text with understanding and fluency.

J. "Speaking" means oral communication used in a variety of situations for a variety of purposes and audiences.

K. "Writing" means written communication used in a variety of forms for a variety of purposes and audiences.