Best Practices for Teaching English Language Learners
Download as PPTX, PDF1 like1,461 views
This document summarizes a presentation on best practices for English language learners (ELLs). It discusses the diversity of ELLs, including different types like foreign-born, gifted, or long-term ELLs. It also covers the main stages of second language acquisition and important things for teachers to know about instructing ELLs, such as how assessments and content can be challenging. The presentation demonstrates strategies like anticipation guides, write-pair-share, and using technology. It emphasizes involving ELLs cooperatively, allowing processing time, using clear language, and connecting to their backgrounds.
Best Practices for Teaching English Language Learners
- 1. Best Practices for ELLs Presented by Dr. Shajaira López March 31, 2017
- 2. Anticipation Guide Please take out your cell phones, laptops or ipads!
- 3. Agenda Diversity of ELLs Language Acquisition Stages Things to Know Strategies & Best Practices
- 4. Diversity of ELLs What are the types of ELLs that you are familiar with?
- 5. There may be more than just these categories Diversity of ELLs ● Native U.S.-born ELLs ● Foreign-born ELLs ● Special Education ELLs ● Gifted and Talented ELLs ● Transnational ELLs ● Long-term ELLs ● Reclassified ELLs ● Newcomer ELLs ● Highly Schooled Newcomer ● Refugee ELLs ● Students with Interrupted Formal Schooling (SIFE) SOURCE: Wright, W. E. (2015) Foundations for teaching English language learners: Research, theory, policy, and practice. PA: Caslon
- 6. Lets describe students using the various types of ELL classifications and our best judgments
- 7. ❖ 9 years old ❖ 1.5 years in Florida ❖ Attended a bilingual private school from PK-1 in the Dominican Republic ❖ Doing well in the bilingual program in Florida DIVERSITY OF ELLs What type of ELL is he? What else can you infer about him? Andres ❖ Foreign-born ELL ❖ Highly schooled newcomer ELL ❖ Parts of Florida are very diverse, perhaps minimizing culture shock ❖ If he attended a bilingual private school back home, perhaps his family received formal education (high school or college) ❖ Andres’ race and academic performance may cause teachers to forget that he is an ELL
- 8. DIVERSITY OF ELs What type of ELL is she? What else can you infer about her? ❖ 11 years old ❖ Born in Chicago and travels to Mexico (her parents’ home) every winter, spring, and summer break ❖ Exceeds academic standards in math, but is not meeting in reading Sofia ❖ Native U.S.-born ELL ❖ Gifted and talented ELL due to her math performance ❖ Could be considered a Transnational ELL because she travels frequently between Mexico and the U.S. ❖ Mexican culture and language is highly visible in Texas, which can benefit her cultural identity and self-esteem as a learner ❖ The fact that she is partially meeting in reading could be because of her English proficiency level or a learning disability. Teachers must assess correctly!
- 9. Write-Pair-Share: Why is it important to know about the diversity of ELLs that we may encounter? Information about Write-Pair-Share can be found on the New Teacher Center website: http://old.newteachercenter.org/collaborative-discussions/write-pair-share
- 12. Self-Assessment: Second Language Acquisition 1. Approximately, how many stages of second language acquisition are there? 2. What are two differences between students in different stages? 3. On a scale of 0 to 4, how would you rate your overall understanding of the stages of second language acquisition? (0= no understanding, 4=full understanding of the five stages) Number a sheet from 1-3
- 13. Things to Know
- 14. Things to Know About Instruction for ELLs 1. ELLs have background knowledge and home cultures that sometimes differ from the U.S. mainstream 2. Most assessments measure language proficiency as well as actual content knowledge 3. Most ELLs are used to being allowed to use their native language in the classroom 4. ELLs need instruction that will allow them to meet state content standards 5. Mathematics has its own language and representational system, and ELLs struggle to understand math concepts in this language 6. The density and complexity of social science textbooks and other texts can be particularly challenging for ELLs 7. Some ELLs bring background knowledge that differs from what is assumed in textbooks 8. Social studies courses require sophisticated and subject specific uses of language SOURCE: Deussen, T., Autio, E., Miller, B., Lockwood, A. T., Stewart, V. (2008) What teachers should know about instruction for English language learners. Center for Research, Education, and Assessment. Education Northwest. Retrieved from: http://educationnorthwest.org/sites/default/files/resources/what-teachers-should-know-about-instruction-for-ells.pdf
- 15. 3-Minute Essay: Write or draw an explanation of ONE of the points that you strongly agree with
- 16. Things to Know About Instruction for ELLs 1. ELLs have background knowledge and home cultures that sometimes differ from the U.S. mainstream 2. Most assessments measure language proficiency as well as actual content knowledge 3. Most ELLs are used to being allowed to use their native language in the classroom 4. ELLs need instruction that will allow them to meet state content standards 5. Mathematics has its own language and representational system, and ELLs struggle to understand math concepts in this language 6. The density and complexity of social science textbooks and other texts can be particularly challenging for ELLs 7. Some ELLs bring background knowledge that differs from what is assumed in textbooks 8. Social studies courses require sophisticated and subject specific uses of language SOURCE: Deussen, T., Autio, E., Miller, B., Lockwood, A. T., Stewart, V. (2008) What teachers should know about instruction for English language learners. Center for Research, Education, and Assessment. Education Northwest. Retrieved from: http://educationnorthwest.org/sites/default/files/resources/what-teachers-should-know-about-instruction-for-ells.pdf
- 17. Strategies & Best Practices for ELLs
- 18. Where are we in terms of Best Practices? Let’s take a poll
- 20. TURN & TALK: What were some of the things that Moises struggles with in school? 30-60-90: What are some things that the teacher could have done differently to help Moises?
- 21. Some Strategies to Use With ELLs 1. Interactive Technology: Kahoot and PollEverywhere 2. Anticipation Guides 3. Agendas 4. Write-Pair-Share 5. Make Information Visible: Videos 6. Self-Assessments 7. 3-Minute Essays The strategies we used today!
- 22. Best Practices for ELLs 1. Involve ELLs in cooperative Learning: Number Heads Together 2. Allow enough processing time: Chunk & Chew → give 2 minutes of information processing for every 10 minutes of instruction 3. Use multicultural material → pictures, scenarios, words, text, etc. 4. Simplify your language without dumbing it down 5. Connect new concepts to students background knowledge 6. Use sentence frames to support speaking and writing 7. Allow ELLs to complete tasks that they CAN DO!
- 23. Review Diversity of ELLs Language Acquisition Stages Things to Know Strategies & Best Practices
- 24. Thank you for the wonderful work that you do!