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Visual aids are an item of illustration. Visual aids can be in the form of films, slides, modeling, poster, graphic organizers, etc. Visual aids are designed to supplement written or spoken information so it can be understood more easily.

"Using visual facilitation and pre-drawn flip charts not only helps draw in learners, but it makes it easier for students to remember the concepts they've just learned. The simple pictures and words about the topic offer an easy way for people to link the concept to the picture," (Stancampiano, 2013)
"Make lectures or presentations more compelling to the brain by using objects, photographs, slides, graphs, bulletin board displays, and color. Visuals are important for remembering information. Change things up: use vivid posters, drawings, videos, and other ways to grab attention," (Jensen, 2008, pg. 104).

Why visual aids are helpful to ELL students

Visual aids used in the classroom are essential for English language learners. Visual aids provide a different form of explanation, and provides the students with information that they may not have understood if it was presented to them in written or spoken form. If a student cannot read or understand spoken English, drawings, videos in their native language, graphs etc. help the students immensely in learning the content that is presented to them.

​"Providing a model as the students are taken through the task verbally eliminated ambiguity and gives the messaging in more than one way. Students are then able to complete the rest of the worksheet," (Eehevarria, Vogt, Short, 2010, pg. 102)
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"ELL's often have difficulty processing auditory information and so instruction that is supported with visual clues is more beneficial to them. Web sites, magazines, commercial photos, and hand drawing can provide visual support for a wide variety of content. Many teachers also use whiteboards, PowerPoint slides, or smart boards to help provide additional visuals," (Nieto & Bode, 2008, pg. 42).

During your reading instruction visual aids can be a helpful tool to use for your ELLs. A visual aid such as an anchor chart can provide assistance to for ELLS if they are unsure of a specific word. Last year, I used an anchor chart during an interactive read aloud of the story "Mean Jean." The students each received a star and wrote one internal and one external personality trait of the character in the story. Using visual aids deepens the connection of learning.

Visual Aids In Mathamatics

The use of visual aids in a math classroom should capture the students attention, and get them interested in the concepts that will be taught. The best visual aid that could be used in math would be manipulatives. By using real objects the students can visually see, and be hands on with the concept that is being taught. The visual aids used in a math class should be appropriate for the lesson, and communicate the message that they teacher wants to convey.

"All students can benefit from using visual representations, although struggling students may require additional, focused support and practice. Visual representations are a powerful way for students to access abstract mathematical ideas," (Zorfass & Han, 2014)

References

Echevarria, J., Vogt, M., & Short, D. J. (2010). Making Content Comprehensible for Elementary English Learners The SIOP Model. Pearson.​

Stancampiano, J. (2013, March 1). Benefits of Visual Facilitation in the classroom. Retrieved from
https://www.trainingindustry.com/content-development/articles/
the-benefits-of-visual-facilitation-in-the-classroom.aspx

Zorfass, J., & Han, A. (2014). Using Visual Representation in Mathematics. Retrieved from
http://www.ldonline.org/article/61885/

Visual Aids In social Studies

While teaching social studies to English Language Learners could produce special challenges for them. ELL's sometimes need additional support/materials to understand content. Visuals make excellent learning tools for all students, especially ELL's. Some examples of visual aids you can use in social studies would be; photographs, graphs, maps, globes, charts, timelines, and venn diagrams.

Visual Aids in Science

The use of visual aids in a science classroom should engage the students and capture their attention. The best visual aid that could be used in science would be visuals of animals, the periodic table, and visuals that would be related to the content being taught. Another form of visual aids that could be used in a science classroom would be manipulative, or hands on materials. This way students can see how the content is being taught, and can communicate the message in a different way so that all students can learn the content in a way that makes sense to them.

Watch this quick video below to learn why the use of visual aids in your classroom is a proficient strategy to teaching your ELLS.

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Visual aids are an item of illustration. Visual aids can be in the form of films, slides, modeling, poster, graphic organizers, etc. Visual aids are designed to supplement written or spoken...

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https://dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/ela/bank/6-12_L.VAU_Frayer_Model.pdf

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A concept map is a visual organizer that can enrich students’ understanding of a new concept. Using a graphic organizer, students think about the concept in several ways. Most concept map organizers engage students in answering questions such as, “What is it? What is it like? What are some examples?…

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Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) transforms the way students think and learn by providing training and curriculum for people to facilitate discussions of visual...

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Visual Thinking Strategies and English Learners

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Visual Thinking Strategies and English Learners

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Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) is an inquiry-based teaching method developed by Philip Yenawine (2013), former education director of New York's Museum of Modern Art, and Abigail Housen, a cognitive psychologist in the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Yenawine describes what VTS is in his latest book, Visual Thinking Strategies: Using Art to Deepen Learning Across School Disciplines (2013):

Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) is an educational curriculum and teaching method, which enables students to develop aesthetic and language literacy and critical thinking skills, while giving teachers a powerful new technique they can utilize throughout their career.

When VTS are used in the general education classroom, there are many benefits to ELs. Instruction is centered on a painting, drawing, photography, or other visuals that can be tied the content area curriculum. Language used during the lesson can easily be differentiated for ELs. They are part of the mainstream lesson, but are able to participate at their own English language development level.

During the lesson, students brainstorm their thoughts on a painting, photograph, or drawing, and ELs are able to develop their listening skills. Teachers are able to guide vocabulary development when they restate what students say. VTS can be used with students as young as kindergarten. Here is a sample lesson from a first-grade classroom. Below is the instructional sequence that is usually followed during a Visual Thinking lesson.

1. The teacher selects a photograph, painting, or drawing that is tied to a piece of literature or a content-area lesson.

2. The photograph, artwork, drawing, or other visual is displayed on an overhead projector.

3. Teacher directs students to look at the picture and asks them "What's going on in this picture?"

4. Students brainstorm what they see as a whole group.

5. Teacher paraphrases student responses.

6. Students may be asked to further elucidate their contributions when the teacher prompts, "What do you see that makes you say that?"

7. Teacher encourages more students to reply by asking "What more can we find?"

These are some other resources for learning about VTS:
Reference
Yenawine, P. (2013). Visual thinking strategies. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press

About Judie Haynes

Judie Haynes taught elementary ESL for 28 years and has been providing professional development for teachers of ELs around the United States since 2008. She is the author and coauthor of seven books for teachers of ELs , the most recent being "The Essential Guide for Educating Beginning English Learners" with Debbie Zacarian. She is founder of the website everythingESL.net and was a columnist for the TESOL publication "Essential Teacher." She is also cofounder and comoderator of the Twitter Chat for teachers of English learners #ELLCHAT.

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Visual Thinking Strategies and English Learners

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Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) is an inquiry-based teaching method developed by Philip Yenawine (2013), former education director of New York's Museum of Modern Art, and Abigail Housen, a cognitive psychologist in the Harvard Graduate School of Education.