Working with ELLs by Autumn Pryor

Native Languages

autumnpryor1 — 2023-10-25 17:42:21 UTC

A student's native language has a big impact on how they learn English. Be aware of your students and their backgrounds! Don't be afraid to ask questions

Create a Language-Rich Environment

autumnpryor1 — 2023-10-25 17:53:14 UTC

Hang up posters/anchor charts and student work, have books accessible to your class, and allow print text in any other ways that make sense in your classroom. This helps expose ELLs to English.

autumnpryor1 — 2023-10-25 18:04:27 UTC

Robertson, K. (2023, September 8). 12 ways classroom teachers can support ells. Colorín Colorado. https://www.colorincolorado.org/article/12-ways-classroom-teachers-can-support-ells

Stages of Second Language Acquisition

autumnpryor1 — 2023-10-27 18:12:01 UTC

Pre-production: ELLs will be silent, but their receptive language vocabulary has up to 500 words. Use visuals in class, allow chances to copy words and phrases from the board, assign a buddy to help them.
Early production: During this stage, students can begin speaking in 1-2 word phrases. Ask yes/no and either/or questions, expect 1-2 word answers, continue to use visuals, modify content to accommodate this language level.
Speech emergence: Students can communicate in simple phrases and sentences. Use things like word banks, matching activities, journals, graphic organizers, and other guided work.
Intermediate fluency: They will begin to speak with more complex sentences. They will ask clarification questions. Students may struggle with written grammar. This is a great time for teachers to focus on learning strategies.
Advanced fluency: It takes 4-10 years to reach this point. Students will be near native speakers at this stage. While students will still need help in the classroom, they will be exited from ESL programs.

autumnpryor1 — 2023-10-27 18:16:54 UTC

Haynes, J. (n.d.). Stages of Second Language Acquisition. everythingESL. https://everythingesl.net

Use Visuals

autumnpryor1 — 2023-10-27 18:55:31 UTC

In the early stages of English language acquisition, visuals help ELLs to understand and be active within the classroom.

Group work

autumnpryor1 — 2023-10-27 18:57:11 UTC

Working in pairs or groups promotes peer interactions, which directly impacts second language acquisition.

Corrective feedback

autumnpryor1 — 2023-10-27 18:59:44 UTC

The sooner a teacher provides feedback, the better. ELLs won't be able to fix their mistakes if they don't know they are making mistakes. Provide specific corrective feedback to ELLs (and all students in general).

Ask for help!

autumnpryor1 — 2023-10-27 19:00:30 UTC

Do not be afraid to reach out to colleagues, parents, etc. We are all a team!

Parents

autumnpryor1 — 2023-10-27 19:02:12 UTC

ELL parents may come off as disengaged, but that isn't always the case. Parents may feel intimidated with schoolwork, if they have limited English proficiency. This is why it is important to try to engage the parents!

Invite parents in

autumnpryor1 — 2023-10-27 19:03:33 UTC

Invite parents into the classroom, on field trips, after school activities, etc. Make sure they know they are just as welcome as any other parent.

ELLs deserve high quality education too!

autumnpryor1 — 2023-10-27 19:06:04 UTC

Teaching ELL students isn't an easy task, but they deserve access to high-quality education, just like any other student. We are so fortunate to have access to research to help us provide the best possible instruction for our ELL students, so we should take advantage of that!

autumnpryor1 — 2023-10-27 19:08:41 UTC

Breiseth, L., Robertson, K., & Lafond, S. (2020, February 4). Encouraging and sustaining ell parent engagement. Colorín Colorado. https://www.colorincolorado.org/article/encouraging-and-sustaining-ell-parent-engagement

autumnpryor1 — 2023-10-27 19:13:55 UTC

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