Teaching students' words structures and morphemes (Linguistics, N.D.). This can be done through finding patterns in words and creating matching games (Linguistics, N.D.). This can be differentiated by proficiency levels in ELL students by using smaller words for lower-level ELLS and using larger words with different affixes and prefixes for higher level ELLs in matching games.

Teaching affixes and prefixes to and structures of how the word in formed. This can be done by creating a "foldable", this can be a piece of paper folded a few times and when moving it different ways it can show the students different parts of the words (Stowe, 2024.). Depending on the proficiency level you can start with just affixes and the higher the proficiency level is you can add both affixes and prefixes.

Making connections to their native language can help students learn morphology (Linguistics, N.D.) For higher level ELL students make this instruction and connections explicit. For lower-level ELLs be flexible and make connections through visuals.

What are sight words?

Phonology can be practiced at home by playing phonics games. You can play the repeat game where you say a word and the child repeats it. Family members can play I Spy and give the first sound of the word you see. For lower-level ELL students the adults can be the teachers but for higher level ELL students they can be the leader, or this activity and the parents can be the students. This can give the ELL student the chance to feel in charge of their learning.

10 Tips for Parents Teaching Phonics at Home - Phonics.org

Syntax can be done at home simply by reading with your child. Doing so they will hear and see different grammar skills. Not only are you helping them you are bonding with them. This can be done at all skill level just choose the appropriate book for your child's age and level.

Reading to children is so powerful, so simple and yet so misunderstood | National Literacy Trust

Semantics can be done at home by going out in the community and speaking to others or even just watching and listening on how others speak or take your child to the playground or library and encourage play and learning through conversations. Socialization can be done in any proficiency level the more exposure the stronger they will get in learning English.

Power of Play in Early Childhood

Pragmatics can be done at home by intentionality. Families can do activities such as painting and then use descriptive language and can give instructions to others. Playing sport is another way to learn pragmatics. Children are following rules by listening and are given instructions. They have to properly communicate with teammates and coaches. Lower-level ELLs can participate in both activities but with the guidance of an adult to help model different ways of spoken language. Higher level ELLS need exposure and practice. They can also learn from modeling and positive corrections.

5 Activities to Improve Pragmatic Language Skills in Children

Teach consonants and vowels (Linguistics, N.D.) Understanding there are different parts to sounds and letters will help with understanding the different sounds that make up words. For lower-level ELLs this can be a new topic and for higher level ELLs this can be a review.

Play a game called Stretch the word. The teacher can choose a word and start to stretch/sound it out. The student then can blend the sounds together to make the word (Chard & Dickson, N.D.). For lower-level ELLs you can use this game for blending simple sounds for older level ELLs you can do this activity with phoneme deletion and substitution.

Making connections between English and Spanish (Linguistics, N.D.) Making these sounds will help make connections between the two languages. Making sure to teach the appropriate mouth formations will help with pronunciation. This activity will be helpful for all levels because appropriate mouth formation will help strengthen language structures.

Linguistics for teachers of Ells, (N.D.) What is pragmatics? Pragmatics in the classroom - Linguistics  for Teachers of ELLs (weebly.com) 

Linguistics for teachers of Ells, (N.D.). What is semantics? Semantics in the Classroom - Linguistics  for Teachers of ELLs (weebly.com) 

Stowe, M,. (2024.) Teaching Morphology; enhancing vocabulary development and reading comprehension. Teaching Morphology: Enhancing Vocabulary Development and Reading Comprehension | Training & Technical Assistance Center | School of Education | W&M School of Education

Chard, D., Dickson, S.(N.D.) Phonological and Phonemic Awareness. Phonological awareness: instructional and assessment guidelines. Phonological Awareness: Instructional and Assessment Guidelines | Reading Rockets

Give explicit grammar rules through different activities in large or small group (Linguistic, N.D.). Higher level ELL students will need to learn more detailed grammar structures and routines while the lower level will need to start at the basics.

Teach students how to properly use prepositions and pronouns (Linguistics, N.D.). The lower-level ELL students can learn prepositions is a more concrete manner learning about one area. Where higher level ELL students can learn more in depth about the topics.

Listen and learn grammar through different ethnic sources such as film, literature, videos (Linguistics, N.D.) This can be done for all proficiency levels using age-appropriate materials and exposing them to different forms of grammar.

Comparative questions can be used to teach semantics. For example, which crayon is bigger the red or blue one? (Teaching Expertise, 2013) Lower-Level ELL students can be asked simple questions and higher-level ELL students can be asked more complex questions. Teachers can model the response.

Teaching the students idioms (Linguistics, N.D.). Teaching idioms helps give context to words. ELL students may not have enough background knowledge to understand certain idioms. Pre teaching them will help give them a better understanding. For lower-level ELLs you can provide pictures with the vocabulary words. For higher-level ELLs you can have them idioms down in a journal.

Create an activity where students are language detectives. This is where they can look for similarities and differences (Linguistics, N.D.). They can look at the meanings of words and compare them to Spanish vocabulary words. Lower-level ELL students can look at age-appropriate words that are provided for them and can break them down to better understand them. Higher-level ELL students may be asked to look up words they have never seen before and investigate them.

Sentence frames can help students start sentences as well as fill in the blanks. This can help ELLs create a complete sentence (Linguistics, N.D.). Lower-level ELL students could fill in one word whereas higher-level students can have a sentence starter and can add two to three more words.

Partner work is a great activity to help with pragmatics. Pair students with the same level ability and have them work on reading and writing (linguistics, N.D.). This will help build stronger reading and writing skills. Teachers could also pair students of different abilities and they can help model and guide each other.

Teach pragmatic awareness through different tones in conversations. Teach students about moods and how we speak when we are happy or sad. Have students practice sentences with different scenarios. Teacher can model different scenarios (American English, N.D.). For lower-level ELL student's teachers can provide explicit instructions whereas higher-level ELL students can create their own scenarios after the teacher models examples.

What is Pragmatics?

12 Fun Speaking Games for Language Learners | Edutopia

Helping Experienced Multilingual Learners | Edutopia

6 Tips for Engaging the Families of English Language Learners | Edutopia

Linguistics for teachers of Ells, (N.D.). What is syntax? Syntax in the Classroom - Linguistics  for Teachers of ELLs (weebly.com) 

Linguistics for teachers of Ells, (N.D.) What is pragmatics? Pragmatics in the classroom - Linguistics  for Teachers of ELLs (weebly.com) 

Linguistics for teachers of Ells, (N.D.). What is semantics? Semantics in the Classroom - Linguistics  for Teachers of ELLs (weebly.com) 

Teaching Expertise. (2013.). Activities to develop semantic knowledge. Activities to Develop Semantic Knowledge - Teaching Expertise

Additional Resources References

Gantenhammer, D., (2015). 12 fun speaking games for language learners. Edutopia. 12 Fun Speaking Games for Language Learners | Edutopia

Huynh, T., Skeleton, B., (2023.). Scaffolding for experienced English language learners. Edutopia. Helping Experienced Multilingual Learners | Edutopia

Manyak, P., Van Gutten, H., Autenreith, D., Gillis, C., Mastre-Ofarrell, J., (N.D.) Four practical principles for enhancing vocabulary instruction. Reading rockets. Four Practical Principles for Enhancing Vocabulary Instruction | Reading Rockets

Yaafourii, L., (2019.). 6 tips for engaging the families of English language learners. Edutopia. 6 Tips for Engaging the Families of English Language Learners | Edutopia

What is Pragmatics? (N.D.) What is Pragmatics? - YouTube