Capacity Building Series: ELL Voices in the Classroom by Lisa Bootsma https://padlet.com/lbootsma/sbp9114z1nip Summary of Monograph en-us 2018-06-29 18:25:14 UTC 2018-06-29 20:21:24 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Templeball.png What an educator should know before teaching ELLs: lbootsma https://padlet.com/lbootsma/sbp9114z1nip/wish/268995625 - Most ELLs make astounding progress, but some ethnocultural backgrounds fail disproportionately.

- What mother tongues are represented in a class?  This will allow you to have students with the same L1 do their "thinking work" together.

- Even after 2 or 3 years, ELLs may still find academic language challenging.

- Canadian-born ELLs take as long as newcomers to learn English

- Co-operative learning is helpful for ELLs.  For it to work well, it is important to teach the social skills required to manage disagreement, take turns, offer help, listen, etc.]]> 2018-06-29 19:10:22 UTC https://padlet.com/lbootsma/sbp9114z1nip/wish/268995625 Relevant underlying theories: lbootsma https://padlet.com/lbootsma/sbp9114z1nip/wish/268995798 - Listening / speaking is the foundation of literacy.

- There is a "silent period" during which an ELL is learning lots, but will speak little or not at all.

- It takes 1-2 years to acquire BIPS, 5 or more years for CALP!

- Vygotzky:  zone of proximal development.

- L1 is a critical tool for thinking.  Continuing to develop L1 is helpful.
- Co-operative learning benefits all students.  Benefits are in developing social skills, valuing perspectives, and oral communication.]]> 2018-06-29 19:14:18 UTC https://padlet.com/lbootsma/sbp9114z1nip/wish/268995798 Practical Strategies lbootsma https://padlet.com/lbootsma/sbp9114z1nip/wish/268995970 - Negotiate meaning:  An ELL will make an utterance (which you may or may not understand).  You can repeat it as you understand it as a question, which gives the student a chance to self correct as necessary.

- Respect the student's need for the "silent phase".

- Have students learn about linguistic diversity in their class.  Short conversations/interviews are not intimidating.  Create a chart with the class to compile their findings: a language "audit".

-  Make room for students to be able to use L1 in class, for brainstorming/thinking.

- Connect to real-world interests.

- Activate prior knowledge.

- Use co-operative learning, such as literature circles and real world problem solving.

- Visuals around the class should include charts for conversation strategies, and expressions needed for group work (formal, informal, offensive language, for example....well, not too offensive)

- Establish routines for group work.

- Grouping:  assign students to groups which you will change periodically.  Make sure that there are a variety of students in each group of 3 to 5 people.

- Let ELLs work with a proficient English speaker.

- Speak naturally, but a little slower.  Pause between phrases, not words.  Use simple syntax and gestures.  

- Give clear instructions.]]> 2018-06-29 19:18:04 UTC https://padlet.com/lbootsma/sbp9114z1nip/wish/268995970 Questions that educators should ask themselves: lbootsma https://padlet.com/lbootsma/sbp9114z1nip/wish/268996083 - Am I adapting the language environment to enable ELLs to participate?

- Do I know my students well enough to assign effective groupings?

- Have I established routines to help children navigate group dynamics for social situations and co-operative learning?

- Is my mode of speech appropriate?  Do I model good pronunciation, syntax, and linking words?

- Do I have to pre-teach vocabulary for a student to understand my next lesson?]]> 2018-06-29 19:20:43 UTC https://padlet.com/lbootsma/sbp9114z1nip/wish/268996083 Questions arising from the monograph? lbootsma https://padlet.com/lbootsma/sbp9114z1nip/wish/268996132 - What are the ethnocultural groups who fail disproportionately?  It would be nice to be able to know who they are so we can address the inequality.

- Are there  visuals I should have around the classroom that would benefit high school students and their academic needs?]]> 2018-06-29 19:21:49 UTC https://padlet.com/lbootsma/sbp9114z1nip/wish/268996132 lbootsma https://padlet.com/lbootsma/sbp9114z1nip/wish/268997042 2018-06-29 19:44:56 UTC https://padlet.com/lbootsma/sbp9114z1nip/wish/268997042