A World of Language Learning

Grammar is a set of rules that helps organize words into sentences so they make sense. It explains how words work together to form a clear meaning. Teaching grammar is a concept that is easy to skip over when there is a limited amount of time in your schedule. Many native English speakers develop grammar skills naturally over time and can often tell if a sentence “sounds right.” However, this is…

Learning to read is a complex process. Students need to learn how to decode words while also understanding what those words mean. The science of reading gives valuable research about how children learn to read. Many effective teaching strategies come from this work. When you are working with multilingual beginning readers, it’s important to remember that much of this research was done with…

A personal picture dictionary is a helpful tool to build your students’ vocabulary. Newcomer ESL students and Multilingual Learners (MLs) benefit from seeing pictures as they learn new vocabulary words. Beginning readers also benefit from using a picture dictionary to help with spelling. When you create your own picture dictionary for students to use, this gives you the flexibility to introduce…

When preschool aged, or PreK, students are learning how to write, their fine motor ability impacts their handwriting. Following a sequence of introducing letters that takes fine motor skills into account sets students up for success. This is true for all students, including MLs. For older MLs, the order to introduce letters with handwriting in mind depends on the students’ prior literacy skills…

Spring is a great time to read books about the environment, animal and plant life cycles, and other outdoor topics. For English Language Learners (along with all students) it is important to read books with characters from diverse backgrounds. Try and integrate characters with similar backgrounds as the students you work with so that they can see kids that are similar to themselves in the books…

Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights leader, political activist, and minister who lived during the mid 20th century. Picture books are one of the best ways to introduce this important historical figure to multilingual learners, along with all students. Picture books have colorful illustrations that help students to build vocabulary. For older learners, you can then move on to more complex…

Do your ELD (English Language Development) students need support with writing? Do you work with ELLs with multiple language levels at the same time? Or do you go into a classroom during writing and not always know how to support students during their writing time? Today, I am going to show you a set of  ELD writing lessons. Short Lessons These lessons take around 30 minutes each. You can extend…

Oral Language skills are the combination of speaking and listening. It is how people communicate verbally. According to WIDA, oral language includes linguistic complexity (the amount and variety of language used), language forms and conventions (variety of grammatical structures and conventions), and vocabulary usage (general and technical language). All students, especially multilingual learners…

Listening skills are important language skills for students. Students are constantly listening, but it can be challenging to develop hands-on activities where listening is the focus. Here are some ideas to help your students practice their listening skills while learning English. Follow Directions Map practice: Give students a simple neighborhood or park map picture. Give simple directions and…

Decodable texts are a valuable tool for students still learning to decode in English. Decodable texts give students the tools that they need to be successful when they are reading. A connected theme allows students to build background knowledge as they read. They will be exposed to similar vocabulary words and be able to use their background knowledge to determine the meaning of new words. Here…

An ELD (English Language Development) thematic unit combines content information with language standards. According to WIDA, Multilingual Learners are ” best served when they learn content and language together in linguistically and culturally sustaining ways.” Using themes to teach language standards helps students to organize new information. It provides content for students to speak, read,…

Photographs are a simple yet effective tool to use with newcomer English Language Learners. They illustrate a vocabulary word in a way that a drawing can come close to but not quite achieve. Have you heard about the Science of Reading? Research shows that it is helpful to give beginning readers decodable passages so that they can systematically practice new phonics skills. For newcomers,…

Most Multilingual Learners (MLs) spend the majority of their day with a classroom teacher or in a content classroom. Often these teachers are not ELD specialists. Most of the strategies that support language learning for MLs will help all students improve their academic language and content knowledge. Visuals All learners will benefit from pictures, photographs, or other visual supports.…

The four language domains of reading, speaking, listening, and writing are all important components of learning a new language. The domains often overlap. One area can benefit from practice on the same topic in a different language domain. A student’s background knowledge plays an important role in how quickly they progress in these domains during a particular unit. Whenever possible, create…

Using a Picture Dictionary with MLs

Multilingual Learners benefit from seeing pictures as they learn new vocabulary words. Pictures are also beneficial for beginning readers so that they can confirm that the words that they read are accurate. A picture dictionary is a helpful tool for both phonics and vocabulary instruction. Picture Dictionary Organization There are multiple ways that a picture dictionary can be…

Teaching Writing to MLs

When you are teaching writing to multilingual learners, what do you focus on?  This is a big question with many components. I think of writing as being organized in two categories, mechanics and ideas.  Some students have many ideas to write about and enjoy free writing. For many MLs this can be challenging. One reason is that they do not yet feel confident that they have the language to express…

Using Wordless Books with MLs

Wordless picture books are a great tool to use with Multilingual Learners. They allow students to practice making inferences and thinking critically.  An added benefit for newcomer students is that they can tell a story in their native language. Over time and with vocabulary support, students can also create stories in English. Create Multiple Versions of the Same Story Students can work…