Supporting English Language Learners by

Involve the Family

aperez672 — 2023-10-29 23:58:03 UTC

Parents and caretakers from other cultures may have different views about family involvement in schooling. Their native traditions may dictate that parents be completely hands-off when it comes to schooling. It can be extra challenging to engage these families in culturally respectful ways. This website has some suggestions and ideas for doing just that.

Brain Breaks

aperez672 — 2023-10-30 00:05:16 UTC

Taking periodic rests from structured study and learning time can help to re-elasticize the brain and re-energize the student. Here are some activities that can be done during these brain breaks to help break up routine while still spurring learning.

aperez672 — 2023-10-30 00:09:50 UTC

While we likely never forget that our students are also children, it can especially important to have patience with and care for the whole of our English Language Learners. Here are some ways to keep the whole person in mind.

aperez672 — 2023-10-30 00:11:27 UTC

No student exists in a void, and English Language Learners are likely especially aware of their own families and cultures, as they may contrast sharply with those of their classmates and peers. It is important to recognize those differences and embrace them, rather than ignoring or, worse, denying them. Here are some ways to appreciate the home life of ELLs.

aperez672 — 2023-10-30 00:12:57 UTC

Culturally relevant teaching is important for all of our students, regardless of their proficiency with the English language. It can be an especially helpful tool for working with English Language Learners, as they may be feeling isolated and alienated. Recognizing their own cultural context and working it into the classroom can be a huge help to them. Here are some ways to do that.

aperez672 — 2023-10-30 00:14:08 UTC

While seeing and working with the whole student is critically important, we also need practical, hands on tools we can use to actually teach our English Language Learners...English. Here are some useful tools to keep in mind for your lessons.

Social & Emotional Learning

aperez672 — 2023-10-30 00:19:38 UTC

Social and emotional learning has become a major topic for schools across the country, especially since the COVID pandemic. SEL has proven important for all students, regardless of their native language. Teaching our ELLs SEL is especially important, as they may need a somewhat different skillset in the United States versus the native culture.

Getting Names Right

aperez672 — 2023-10-30 00:27:07 UTC

For English speakers, trying to pronounce non-English names can be equal parts frustrating and intimidating. You may feel unprepared and doomed to fail when faced with (what seems to you) a strange sequence of letters or even characters and symbols you've never before seen. Nevertheless, learning how to pronounce those names properly can be instrumental in building rapport with ELLs - which can be critical to helping them learn long term.

Body Language

aperez672 — 2023-10-30 00:29:58 UTC

Body language is often done completely unconsciously, which makes it all the more important that we consider it carefully amongst ELLs. An innocuous or supportive signal in one culture may be offensive in another. Knowing, understanding, and even using the body language of your ELLs can help to make them feel welcome in your classroom, and put them at ease with you.

Journaling

aperez672 — 2023-10-30 00:33:08 UTC

Whether used solo (personal) or as a conversation with the teacher (dialogue), journaling can allow ELL students to stretch their skills at their own pace and without the pressures and constraints of verbal classroom work. A student that may feel self conscious or nervous speaking English in front of peers may take to it more easily when they have the time to write things down.

Work With Cognates

aperez672 — 2023-10-30 00:37:58 UTC

Common roots between languages can lead to cognates, which can be a powerful tool for ELLs. Students that are just starting the journey are especially situated to gain an early burst of confidence and hope if they can learn even just a handful of words quickly and easily.

Partner Work

aperez672 — 2023-10-30 00:41:52 UTC

While the majority of "book learning" is likely to come directly (or indirectly) from a teacher, ELLs may gain as much or more from practicing with classmates and peers. Using the language themselves is necessary in gaining fluency, and doing with classmates can be low stress but still effective.

Be Emotionally Aware

aperez672 — 2023-10-30 00:45:33 UTC

The prospect of learning another language, especially at a young age, can be incredibly stressful. As a teacher, be especially mindful of the emotional state of your ELL students. This is doubly important if those students don't yet have the knowledge or vocabulary to explain how they're feeling. Piling on work when they're already tired, stressed, and feeling defeated from previous lessons will only hurt.

Don't Discourage Their Culture

aperez672 — 2023-10-30 00:53:59 UTC

Trying to discourage or de-incentivize using ELLs' own native language, at home or in the classroom, only has negative consequences. Their native language is part of who they are. Changing that is not our goal; we are only trying to equip them for navigating a majority-English speaking classroom.

Use Realia in the Classroom

aperez672 — 2023-10-31 12:26:57 UTC

Using real world objects - things you can experience directly with your senses - instead of relying primarily on intellectual concepts and digital media can help your students connect with the material on a more fundamental level.

Use Students' Background Knowledge

aperez672 — 2023-10-31 12:31:24 UTC

ELLs may feel a disconnect between their new context and their past - their previous home and culture. This disconnect can make it difficult to learn, as many things are unfamiliar to them. Connecting lessons to their background can help them forge connections with the material in new ways. It's important to do this in a respectful, sensitive way - depending on their context, their background may be a source of pain or trauma.

Material Selection

aperez672 — 2023-10-31 12:39:03 UTC

Use readings and texts - and really any materials - that are relevant to your ELL students. By using material in which they can see themselves and their experiences, students will connect and learn faster and more deeply.