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- Classrooms that are language-rich provide the ideal environment for accelerating ELLs' oral language and academic vocabulary develop ment. These classrooms recognize that language de velopment, whether in a first or a second language, occurs in social contexts and through purposeful so cial interactions.
www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/20203099.pdfEnglish Learners: Creating Language-Rich Instruction for ...
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Create a language-rich environment. ELLs will benefit from increased exposure to print and language. A print-rich environment will include access to books and reference materials, labels (in students' languages and English) and posters, and student work on bulletin boards.
- Skills
Expediting Comprehension for English Language Learners...
- Build Relationships
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An important first step in helping English language learners...
- Skills
- Getting to Know Students
- Welcoming Students' Language and Culture
- Success in The Classroom
- Creating A Shared Classroom Culture
- Related Resources
Learn how to pronounce students' names correctly
1. Take the time to learn how to pronounce your ELLs' names correctly. 2. Ask them to say their name. 3. Listen carefully and repeat it until you know it. 4. Model the correct pronunciation of ELLs' names to the class so that all students can say the correct pronunciation. 5. Consider an activity in which students can share the meaning of their name, such as this Name Story activity or these related name activities.
Don't forget to smile and use positive body language!
A lot of communication happens through expressions, body language, and tone. Smiling and using positive body language can go a long way in making students feel welcome and comfortable, particularly if they are newcomers, as seen in the vignette shared by a teacher below.
Build relationships with students
Veteran teachers of ELLs always point to building relationships as the most important step in their work with ELLs. Not only does it increase engagementand support students' later academic success, it also provides invaluable information that can inform your instruction and family engagement. In addition, it can help build bridges with students who may have particularly unique experiences, such as children in migrant farmwork families or Indigenous students. See more ideas on how to build the...
Invite students' cultures into the classroom
Encourage ELLs and their families to share their culture with you and your class. Show-and-tell is a good opportunity for ELLs to bring in something representative of their culture, if they wish. Invite students and families to: 1. share photographs, visuals, or meaningful artifacts such as flags or mementos 2. tell a popular story or folktale using words, pictures, gestures, and movements 3. share information about important holidays or celebrations.
Invite students' languages into the classroom
Label classroom objects to allow ELLs to better understand their immediate surroundings. These labels will also assist you when explaining or giving directions, and it gives peers an additional opportunity to learn some words in their classmates' language. 1. Start with everyday items, such as "door/puerta," "book/libro," and "chair/silla." 2. You may wish to ask students who can write in their first language or family members to help you with this project. You can also invite students to tea...
Learn more about the resources available in students' home languages
Students benefit from support in their home language — what Dr. Fred Genesee calls their "most valuable resource." You have may have access to learning material in students' languages, or you may be able to find resources that support those languages.
Encourage your students
Some ELLs may not answer voluntarily in class or ask for your help even if they need it. ELLs may smile and nod, but this does not necessarily mean that they understand. Offer one-on-one support and encouragement as much as possible. For convenience, it may be helpful to seat ELLs near your desk.
Assign a buddy
Identify a classmate who will make a good buddy for new students — someone who is friendly, patient, and a good communicator to be a buddy. This student can make sure that the new student understands what he or she is supposed to do during class activities. It is helpful if the peer partner knows the ELL's first language, but not necessary. However, remember to neveruse another student as an interpreter in any situation. Learn more about ways to increase peer interaction and collaborationin t...
Ask the class how they can help welcome new students
Ask students to brainstorm ways to help ELLs in particular. You may wish to make a list of ideas on how to welcome new students at the beginning of the year so that students have these strategies in mind if a student comes with little advance notice. 1. Canadian students welcoming Syrian refugees(video) 2. Sensitize Your Mainstream Students(Judie Haynes: everythingESL)
Encourage students to take ownership of the classroom culture
Ask students to answer the following questions through drawings or written responses. 1. How can I be a good classmate to others? 2. What are examples of unkind or disrespectful behavior in the classroom? To support ELLs in their discussions of these questions: 1. Encourage students who speak the same language to discuss their ideas in groups. 2. Provide scaffolded materials such as graphic organizers, sentence stems, and sentence frames. 3. Use a picture book to talk about different kinds of...
Create a shared set of classroom expectations together
1. Return to your earlier discussion of what a respectful classroom looks like. 2. Brainstorm ideas on possible class rules based on that discussion. 3. Streamline the list of class guidelines or rules. 4. Add any rules or guidelines that are missing. 5. In order to establish appropriate consequences for disrespectful behavior, you may wish to come up with ideas with the class or determine those consequences yourself. 6. Post the final list classroom rules in the classroom. 7. Translate the r...
Help your ELLs understand expectations for the classroom
ELLs may need some extra support in understanding expectations for classroom behavior. Helping them understand these expectations can avoid misunderstandings, discipline problems, and feelings of low self-esteem. At the same time, it's important to remember that students bridging two cultures may need guidance which behaviors are appropriate in which setting (such as eye contact, physical proximity, etc.). If you have questions, talk with a cultural liaison in the school to learn more about a...
- Learn their names. Take the time to learn how to pronounce your ELLs’ names correctly. Ask them to say their name. Listen carefully and repeat it until you know it.
- Offer one-on-one assistance when possible. Some ELLs may not answer voluntarily in class or ask for your help even if they need it. ELLs may smile and nod, but this does not necessarily mean that they understand.
- Assign a peer partner. Identify a classmate who really wants to help your ELL as a peer. This student can make sure that the ELL understands what he or she is supposed to do.
- Post a visual daily schedule. Even if ELLs do not yet understand all of the words that you speak, it is possible for them to understand the structure of each day.
- Classroom Layout and Organization: Consider the classroom layout and organization to create a conducive learning environment. Avoid clutter and excessive decorations.
- Vocabulary Displays and Anchor Charts: Use visually appealing vocabulary displays, anchor charts, and word walls to provide students with accessible language resources.
- Diverse Literature: Build a diverse library that represents the cultural backgrounds of your students. Include books in their native language, bilingual books, and stories reflecting various celebrations and traditions.
- Interactive Bulletin Boards and Displays: Create interactive displays that showcase student work and highlight their language skills. Feature student introductions, greetings in multiple languages, and cultural information to promote understanding and appreciation.
- Establish a Welcoming Atmosphere: Create a warm and inclusive classroom environment where ELL students feel valued and supported. Foster a sense of belonging by displaying multicultural materials, celebrating diversity, and encouraging students to share their cultural backgrounds.
- Set Clear Expectations: Clearly communicate classroom rules, routines, and expectations to ELL students. Use visual cues, gestures, and simplified language to ensure understanding.
- Use Visual Cues: Incorporate visual aids, such as posters, charts, and labels, to support ELL students’ comprehension. Visual cues can help ELL students understand instructions, vocabulary, and concepts more easily.
- Foster Positive Relationships: Build strong relationships with your ELL students by showing genuine interest in their lives and experiences.
1. Give students lots of practice. 2. Encourage use of students' home languages. 3. Be intentional with your grouping. 4. Look for ways to increase oral academic language. 5. Remember the 'silent period' 6. Don't forget culture. Closing Thoughts.
Nov 14, 2017 · Reap the Benefits of Understanding Language. Consider your language choices. Our metaphors and beliefs shape our understandings of teaching English language learners. These choices can frame and shape our perceptions of reality. Do we focus on the linguistic strengths students bring?
