This article addresses the importance of creating a welcoming, positive, and inclusive classroom environment for English Language Learners (ELLs). Things to take into consideration include acknowledging the stages of cultural accommodation such as euphoria, culture shock, acceptance, and assimilation, the “silent period” where students will listen but not speak, and successful ways to support academic and social development. This article supports research-based best practices by focusing on building a solid rapport with the teacher and peers, increasing their confidence, and making them feel more comfortable in class.

This article addresses the change from traditional classroom management of punishment and reward to an outcome-based approach. Positive and negative outcomes allow students to understand cause-and-effect relationships in the choices made. This idea of outcomes helps students with real-world scenarios and learn responsibilities. This approach aligns with research-based practices by focusing on natural outcomes which allows teachers to provide clear structure and guidance in their academic language development.

Through interviewing educators with years of experience in teaching ELLs and observers, Kaplan (2019) listed the best strategies that work in the classroom of native and non-native English-speaking students. These strategies include being culturally responsive, teaching language skills, emphasizing productive language, speaking slowly, differentiating instructions, and incorporating student's native language. These strategies align with research-based practices by focusing on effective big-picture and nitty-gritty tactics that benefit all students in the class.

This video from Edutopia shows an ESOL teacher teaching content in English using specific instructional strategies. Implementing New York State’s English as a New Language program is highly effective in reaching English proficiency in three to four years. This video supports research-based best practices by showing how an ESOL teacher successfully tailors instruction to support ELL students.

This article tells a story of Alma Milan, a certified ESL teacher, utilizing technology in the classroom to promote effective English learning techniques that are fresh and inspirational. She uses visual supports, colorful and interactive powerpoints, and provide opportunities for students to research on their own. This approach aligns with research-based practices by focusing on using multiple instructional methods which allows teachers to provide differentiated instructions and keep students' best interest in mind, fostering positive attitude of learning and engagement.

This clip by Patrick Synan, a highschool ELL teacher, talks about the experience of teaching students how to use technology remotely. Since COVID, technology and use of computers had drastically become a tool for learning in the classroom, as well as online school. Using technology intentionally for teaching promotes high-accomplishments and learning. This clip aligns with research-based practices by shedding light on the positives of technology in learning.

This article talks about how an elementary school is integrating social and emotional learning throughout the school community to support student success. SEL was incorporated throughout the school and staff through school-wide initiatives, celebrations, and intentional classroom environments and strategies. The results were overwhelmingly positive. This article supports research-based best practices by highlighting key reasons SEL is working and why it matters which allows teachers to integrate SEL into academics and professional development.

This article summarizes SEL and explains how schools can ensure that ELLs are fully included and supported through SEL activities in school settings. Through considerations, examples, and ideas, Breiseth highlights ELL recommendations that strengthen teacher-student relationships, learn about the experiences of special populations, engage meaningfully, and connect to students' language. This article supports research-based best practices by focusing on concrete examples of educating ELLs to achieve fluency, goals, and aspirations.

This article addresses the cultural challenges most ESL educators and ELLs face including cultural differences, language barriers, misunderstandings, and different narrative styles. This article aligns with research-based practices by providing recommendations for teachers to provide clear and effective learning, understanding, and appreciation of different cultures.

This article addresses the importance of ESL educators understanding cultural differences among ESL learners. With the rise in ELLs, teachers need to be aware of potential challenges regarding cultural differences and language barriers. Cultural understanding promotes English-language development and helps ELLs adjust to a new school and new culture. This article supports research-based best practices by focusing on integrating home language into the classroom, background knowledge, and utilizing technology to bridge together instant communication and world-wide connections.