English Language Learners are students whose native language is not English and speak/learn in a different language. These students normally come from non-english speaking backgrounds and often require assistance in the school setting. The big question is... how do we help these students that speak a different language than us? Let's talk about some strategies that can we use in the classroom to help us with ELL students.
What are some strategies that you can use in the classroom?
One of the best ways to accomodate for ELL students is to cultivate a relationship with them and establish cultural respect. You want to make these students feel comfortable and included in the classroom environment. The best way to do that is by getting to know these students and their backgrounds. In your classroom library, incorporate some books in that students native language. Learn some common words in their native language and use them during the day. For example, you could teach your students how to count to 10 in Spanish. Using their language will show those students that you truly care about an accept their culture. If you don't know how to communicate with the student, use apps like Google Translate to allow you to have a conversation with the student. Also, using pictures can have a huge impact on ELL students success in the classroom. Allow ELL students to have a longer think time during the discussion so they can really think about their responses. You can provide these students with sentence stems if they are doing a writing piece. Also, find different apps that you can use to communicate to the students and that they can use to practice their English.
Check out this video to see some strategies in action!
How do those strategies impact student learning?
Incorporating different strategies into lessons helps ELL students grow in tremendous ways. It shows the students that you care about their individual success and are going to be there to help them learn. Also, these different strategies will serve as a motivation tool for the students. They will be more engaged in the lessons and activities. Not only will their English improve, but their confidence in themselves as a student will improve even more.
What is the cost?
There is none! Yes, some of the books and apps might have a little cost to them, but that cost is so worth it. You might have to carve out extra time every day to work one on one with that student, but that extra time is so precious. The time that you spend helping that sweet student learn and grow will be so valuable. Seeing that student grow and be successful will be so fulfilling to your heart. These students may take additional time and accommodations but they are YOUR students. Our job isn't just to teach some students, our job is to teach ALL students and to help them become the best person that they can be.
Bonus Info:
Here are some apps that you can use if you have an ELL student in your classroom:
- ClassDojo
- Flipgrid
- Busuu
Final Thoughts:
One of the biggest takeaways that I got from this was that fair is not always equal. That graphic completely changed my outlook and perspective on ELL students and how to accommodate for them. They talked about equity vs. equality and how sometimes it is more important to give everyone what they need to be successful instead of giving everyone the same thing. All of your students are different and learn in various ways. There is no strategy that is one size fits all. ELL students will need different strategies and supports than the normal student would. If you give all of you students different accommodations, it does not mean you are being unfair. You are giving the students what they need to be successful. I want to make sure that I am giving ELL students all of the additional support that they need to be successful. I will use many of the strategies mentioned above to accomplish that.
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