Now is the time for you to begin thinking
and planning for what you will do to make sure ELL students in your classes are successful learners.
Make your top ten list of steps to take to ensure ELL student success.
Here is what I have come up with so far.
Accommodating English Language Learners
As a potential educator that will be teaching in the modern classrooms of today, I have learned to expect to acquire a highly diverse classroom of my own someday. I have created a list of steps to take to ensure that I possess the ability and knowledge to present equal opportunities of success to my future ELL students. Below are the top ten steps that I plan to use when educating ELL students.
Step One: Assess the ELL student’s current English comprehension level.
Rationale: In order to provide ELL students with the tools for success it is important to know how familiar the student is with English so that one may establish a starting point.
Step two: Determine the most effect ways to communicate with the ELL students.
Rationale: Does the Ell student understand best with body language? It would be highly be beneficial to discover what forms of instruction are the most effective for ELL students.
Step three: Create a learning environment that is conducive to Learning the English Language.
Rationale: It is vital that the educators with ELL students create a learning environment that prompts learning of English vocabulary. Stimulating several senses while teaching English, or any language for that matter, can help increase retention. Visual aids can be a powerful asset to ELL students; no matter how differently words are spoken from language to language sight is universal understood.
I was looking for some guidance and feedback. Am I on the right track?
Indeed you are on the right track! Depending upon the course curriculum, your school district, we had a lot of "freedom" in that we had what I called "survival language." The students went all over campus (with other teacher's permission) finding various things on campus. Since the students we had were often new to the school, as well as the area and the country, it was important for them to know where to go for help.
Absolutely stimulate all 5 senses! There are many "games/activities" to help you with that.
One of the first things I did in foreign-language classes was to analyze what type of learner each student was. There are 3 main types but most people are a combination of those. 1. Some learn aurally. Then they need to HEAR what they want to learn. 2. Some learn visually. Then they need to SEE what they want to learn. 3. Some are kinesthetic learners. That is the most difficult, but I happen to be one of those. I need to PHYSICALLY "walk" through I want to learn. Repetition is the key to learning vocabulary and it never hurts to hear it, say it, see it and eventually write it - in that order as anyone learns a native language.
My students learned to laugh WITH someone but never AT.
I'll be happy to share whatever I have. There are some very helpful sites online as well. Feel free to ask for anything you'd like.
Sra (aka Mme)
Congratulations! You have an excellent start on this list!
You may want to separate some of these steps in order to come up with 10 steps.
For instance, you could break your third step into specific ways you'd stimulate several senses.
Thank you for your positive reinforcement. Sometimes I just need a little feedback to know that I am on the right track. I may need some additional input before I submit my completed assignment and if I do I will be sure to ask your advice. Thank you again!
Thank you Ms. Sue, that is a great idea!
You're very welcome, Hannah.
Sra, who's had a lot of experience teaching ELL students, added some very good ideas.
Here is how my paper has developed. Any feedback would be much appreciated.
As a potential educator that will be teaching in the modern classrooms of today, I have learned to expect to acquire a highly diverse classroom of my own someday. I have created a list of steps to take to ensure that I possess the ability and knowledge to present equal opportunities of success to my future ELL students. Below are the top ten steps that I plan to use when educating ELL students.
Step One: Assess the ELL student’s current English comprehension level.
Rationale: In order to provide ELL students with the tools for success it is important to know how familiar the student is with English, so that one may establish a starting point.
Step two: Determine what learning strengths the ELL student currently possess.
Rationale: Every student learns at different paces, looking back to the student’s average grades from his or her previous schools will help to determine the student’s strengths and weaknesses before changing to a school that is taught in a second language. This is also helpful for the educators to decide if the methods that they use are effective.
Step three: Construct benchmarks for the ELL students to meet.
Rationale: Using the results from the English assessment, establish learning benchmarks that the ELL student will be expected to meet. Creating Benchmarks will allow students to know what is expected of them and will help track ELL students’ progress.
Step four: In addition to long-term benchmarks, set short-term stepping stones.
Rationale: Short-term stepping stones will help ELL students stay on track to fulfill the benchmark requirements. Additionally, short-term success can help ELL students to stay motivated by allowing them to see their progress on a regular basis.
Step five: Uncover the strongest and weakest areas of multiple intelligences the ELL student possesses.
Rationale: By understanding what types of learning experiences are most effective to the ELL student(s) the road to success may become a much more productive ride. If the ELL student excels in hands-on learning, but the teacher provides mostly individual reading assignments than the ELL student will not be properly equipped with the opportunity to succeed.
Step six: Determine the most effect ways to communicate with the ELL students.
Rationale: Does the ELL student understand best with body language? It would be highly be beneficial to discover what forms of instruction are the most effective for ELL students. This will also allow the teacher to decide whether to use the transitional or immersion technique.
Step seven: Create a learning environment that is conducive to Learning the English Language.
Rationale: It is vital that the educator, with ELL students, creates a learning environment that prompts learning of English vocabulary. Stimulating several senses while teaching English, or any language for that matter, can help increase retention. Visual aids can be a powerful asset to ELL students; no matter how differently words are spoken from language to language, sight is universally understood.
Step eight: Create a grouped seating plan.
Rationale: Implement a rotating seating chart that changes periodically. The groups will consist of diverse students, so that ELL students and English speaking students may work together and learn from one another.
Step nine: Create themed lesson plans.
Rationale: Themes that are carried on throughout the week will enable ELL students to become more familiar with vocabulary through means of repetition.
Step ten: Create a daily routine.
Rationale: The language barrier can sometimes leave ELL students feeling lost and this can take away from active learning time. A daily routine can help ELL students to know what to expect and encourage them to feel confident in actively participating.
Looks great!
I hope SraJMcGin also responds to this post.
Thanks Ms. Sue : ). The feedback that you and SraMcGin provided was very helpful.
Yes, you are definitely on the right track! Your steps show that you have a good understanding of the importance of assessing and accommodating ELL students in the classroom. Here are a few additional steps you could consider adding to your list:
Step Four: Utilize visuals and real-world examples.
Rationale: Visuals and real-world examples can help ELL students understand abstract concepts and make connections to their own experiences.
Step Five: Provide clear instructions and use simple language.
Rationale: Using clear and concise language, as well as breaking down complex tasks into smaller steps, can help ELL students better understand and follow instructions.
Step Six: Incorporate peer collaboration and group work.
Rationale: Collaborative activities allow ELL students to practice their language skills in a supportive and interactive environment, and also help foster a sense of belonging and community in the classroom.
Step Seven: Celebrate and value students' cultural backgrounds.
Rationale: Recognizing and valuing students' cultural backgrounds helps create an inclusive classroom environment, where ELL students feel supported and their identities are respected.
Step Eight: Provide opportunities for extra language practice.
Rationale: Offering additional language practice through language games, conversation partners, or language learning software can help ELL students reinforce their language skills outside of regular classroom instruction.
Step Nine: Collaborate with ELL specialists, if available.
Rationale: Working with ELL specialists or language support staff can provide valuable insights and strategies for supporting the language development of ELL students.
Step Ten: Regularly assess and monitor ELL students' progress.
Rationale: Ongoing assessment and monitoring can help identify areas where ELL students may need additional support or intervention, and allow for adjustments to instructional approaches.
Overall, your top ten steps and these additional suggestions show a comprehensive approach to supporting ELL students in the classroom. Keep in mind that every student is unique, so it's important to continually adapt and tailor your instruction to meet their individual needs.