W. Aaron Zimkowski Ed.D.
English Language Learners (ELLs) are rapidly increasing in schools, facing the challenge of learning English while excelling academically. Many teachers feel ill-equipped, and schools are looking for solutions.
ELLs need to access curriculum in comprehensible ways. Traditional methods like translation are less effective; a collaborative approach between language and content teachers works best. Here’s how to support ELLs effectively:
1. Align Language with Curriculum
- Strategy: Coordinate language goals with academic content. Use shared documents or email for updates to ensure everyone understands ELLs’ needs.
2. Increase Language Exposure
- Strategy: Embed language learning across all subjects. Teachers can use consistent vocabulary and writing tasks to reinforce language skills.
3. Focus on Interactive Learning
- Strategy: Shift from teacher-led to student-centered activities like debates and projects, aligned with WIDA standards for effective communication. (direct language instruction and practice is still needed)
4. Balance Language Skills
- Strategy: Promote all language areas – reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Use diverse activities to ensure well-rounded language growth. Be conscious of the targeted language domain and the desired goal.
5. Reduce Anxiety
- Strategy: Create a supportive environment by matching content to language levels, encouraging participation, and offering positive feedback to lower emotional barriers. Create language learning spaces in your schools!
Why These Work
These strategies, combined with comprehensible language input, move beyond mere translation, fostering real engagement with both language and content, enabling ELLs to succeed and grow.
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