Instructional Strategies for Working with ELL Students
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The following section describes how to make the classroom environment the most success for ELL students:What to Do for an ELL Student
- Remember that new students are still trying to adjust and could take as long as 6 months
- If you think the student does not understand you, slow down, use simple language, visuals and gestures
- Make sure you review the students' PSP to know what accommodations and modifications you should provide
- Have other students in the classroom help the student
- Put forth effort to make them feel especially welcome and part of the class, the more comfortable they are, the more they will be willing to learn.
Communicating with ELL Students
- Lessons should incorporate language development by providing many opportunities for students to read, write, listen and speak.
- Use gestures, facial expressions, emphasis and pantomime to help communicate the meaning of your words
- Use pictures, props, and real objects to introduce vocabulary and ideas.
- Repeat, recycle and rephrase key language necessary for the subject
- Offer a variety of ways for students to respond in activities
- Listen to what the student is trying to say, then repeat it back to him/her for clarification
General Instructional Strategies
- Be aware of your verbal and non-verbal communication. Make sure students feel welcome both verbally and non-verbally
- Allow the student to have a "silent period" in order to adjust to the new language and culture
- Make sure to present opportunities both structured and unstructured for ELLs to interact with other students in the class
- Do not put ELL students on the spot, encourage them to ask questions if they do not understand and when presenting them a question give them extended wait time
- Let them know that they are supported and that you are there to help them
- Pair them with a caring peer tutor to help them in the class
- Encourage the student to stay before or after school for tutoring/ESS