While a wide variety of subject-specific strategies can be used to improve English language learners' success, the following checklist offers proven strategies for any classroom.
- Visual Aids
Visual aids give ELL students visual cues that may help clarify meaning and solidify learning. Visual aids should be clear and reproduced for ELL students, whenever possible.
- Hands-On Activities
Where appropriate, hands-on activities help ELL students connect with classroom content. Processes that can be experienced or observed make learning more concrete.
- Sufficient Wait Time
ELL students need additional time to formulate their answers in English. Some may still be translating their first language into English, others may need time to find the appropriate words. By pausing after a question is asked, everyone, English proficient students included, has time to think about the question before responding.
- Modeled Spoken Language
Refrain from correcting your students spoken language. Instead, model the proper usage in a restatement. For example, if a student says "No understand." You might reply, "You don't understand? Okay." Students may occasionally ask to be corrected; but as a rule, it is best to leave corrections to the written word. In this case, be sure to balance positive feedback with corrections.
- Lesson Outlines
Teacher-prepared outlines or notes can help ELL students follow along in class. Alternately, you may ask another student to share his or her notes with the ELL student. You may also choose to give the student information regarding the teaching plan and objectives so that they may have an easier time following along.
- Skim and Scan
Directly teach ELL students reading strategies that will enhance their reading skills. Skimming, scanning and even outlining chapters in the textbook are excellent pre-reading strategies that can help students preview material prior to reading. They can also engage in other strategies such as predicting chapter content from headings, creating vocabulary lists, writing responses, and summarizing.
- Respect the Silent Phase
Most second language learners go through a silent phase. Forcing a student to speak may make them embarrassed and overly self-conscious. In a worst case scenario, other students may laugh them at them. While your intention may be to give them practice, this technique very well may backfire.
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Aardvark's English-Forum
This site is packed with information for student of English and teachers of ESL students. Here you will find a teacher's message board, links to activities and interactive Web sites, reference materials, grammar teaching resources, and other materials.
Internet TESL Journal
This monthly Internet journal provides articles, links, activities, and lesson plans for the ESL teacher. In existence since 1995, the archives provide a wealth of information for your classroom.
Texas Center for Bilingual/ESL Education
Developed by the Texas Education Agency, this site contains extensive professional development materials for teachers of ESL and bilingual education. Within the materials, you will find information about teaching ELL students in core competency areas.
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