5 research-based strategies for supporting Multilingual Learners (MLL) by CHRISTINE ABRAHAM

hamlorwithney — 2025-07-28 16:59:01 UTC

Students who are learning English do not fit neatly into a single label. We use the common phrases multilingual learner, English language learner, and ELL student, along with the acronyms MLL, but we recognize that any label is imperfect.

hamlorwithney — 2025-07-28 17:02:20 UTC

Multilingual learners enter the classroom with a wealth of knowledge. Before introducing new concepts and ideas, gauge students’ background knowledge.

hamlorwithney — 2025-07-28 17:03:17 UTC

Give students guidance on a task or a process using scaffolding strategies, like modeling and think-alouds. Other scaffolding tools, like sentence frames, help students formulate their thoughts and responses.

2025-07-28 17:03:41 UTC

Acquire Cultural Knowledge- ask students to discuss their own experiences and try to make connections to the topic we studied Using Language Acquisition Principles- teachers create a supportive, nurturing place where language is learned through meaningful tasks and authentic interactions. Employ Instructional Scaffolds- training wheels for learning—they are used as you are learning a new skill but are intended to be temporary until a skill is mastered. Provide Effective Feedback- it provides students with information to improve upon a task, and why.

2025-07-28 17:04:12 UTC

Students who are learning English benefit from small group peer discussions as opposed to whole class discussions.

During integrated ELD (English Language Development) instruction, language skills and content are taught simultaneously, with content being the primary focus. This happens throughout the day across different content areas as opposed to a dedicated time. Targeted ELD instruction directly addresses ELD standards through explicit language lessons.

2025-07-28 17:05:10 UTC

Writing Strategies

2025-07-28 17:05:30 UTC

Teacher's guidance is crucial
Examples of great writing
Creating Multimodal Texts
Writing Scaffolds
Authenticity
Specific Teacher Instruction
Multilingual languages approaches

IMPORTANT QUOTE:
"Writing with real purposes, like communicating a message or achieving a goal, deeply engages and motivates multilingual students. When students write about topics they care about, they see writing as important and powerful. When teachers invite students to write about their own lives and backgrounds, students feel a sense of ownership over their writing. They begin to appreciate the diverse experiences within the classroom."

Integrating Content & Language Development

2025-07-28 17:06:09 UTC

“Second, the integration of language and content instruction provides a substantive basis for

language learning. Important and interesting content, academic or otherwise, gives students a

meaningful basis for understanding and acquiring new language structures and patterns. In

addition, authentic classroom communication provides a purposeful and motivating context for

learning the communicative functions of the new language. In the absence of content and

authentic communication, language can be learned only as an abstraction devoid of conceptual

or communicative substance.”

hamlorwithney — 2025-07-28 17:06:19 UTC

MLLs need to have opportunities to practice learning English through authentic conversations, role-playing activities as well as reading, writing, speaking, and through group work or partner work.

2025-07-28 17:06:28 UTC

Students who are MLLs can be grouped into several different types based on home language (homogenous groupings) or proficiency levels (heterogenous groupings).

2025-07-28 17:08:34 UTC

when 2nd language instruction is integrated with instruction in academic content, it's more effective than teaching in isolation. There has been a shift away from teaching language in isolation to integrating language and content instruction. Some reasons for this approach include - language is acquired most effectively when it's learned for communication in meaningful and significant social situations.

disnellymejia — 2025-07-28 17:09:33 UTC

-Provide multiple ways for students to learn and demonstrate new learning. Employ interactive and collaborative learning activities. Involve providing language supports for our ELLs. Connect content to real life by inviting community members to the classroom to talk about their experiences

Explicit Literacy Instruction

2025-07-28 17:10:24 UTC

English Language Development (ELD) instruction plays a pivotal role in addressing the diverse linguistic needs of all students. ELD consists of 2 approaches and both are needed. Integrated happens within the lesson and targeted happens within a dedicated block. Instruction plays a vital roles, regardless of language level