It's All Greek to Me!
How to Help Your ELL Students Learn and Grow
Erika Allison
August 9, 2002
August 9, 2002
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TABLE OF CONTENTSLoading...
Every Classroom is Responsive5 Stages of Language Acquisitions
Factors Affecting Second Language Acquisition
4 Principles of Culturally Responsive Teaching
Vocabulary
Practical Teaching Tools - Reading/Writing/Math
Other Ways to Help
Parents - Included and Involved
ELL and Special Education
SIFE
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page 3pages 4 - 5
pages 6 - 7
pages 8 - 9
pages 10 - 13
pages 14 - 17
pages 18 - 19
pages 20 - 21
pages 22 - 23
page 24
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Every Classroom RespondsLoading...
Every classroom responds to a particular culture. That statement hit me squarely between the eyes. I had always felt that I worked hard to include everyone from every culture, and I had, but had my efforts been effective? I had books with characters from around the world. I encouraged conversations about famous people and events throughout history and from far away places. But, did I put the effort into learning about the specific cultures of my specific students? What had I done to welcome the families beyond a pleasant smile and sincere hello? The truth - not much. This book will give you practical applications you can put to use immediately. Many of the ideas are strategies and activities you already use in your classroom but can put new emphasis on using with your ELL students. Even better is the fact that many of these ideas will help all of your students improve their learning.
5 Stages of Language Acquisition
1. Receptive / Preproduction
*doesn't speak much - observing! *trying to process language
*uses gestures / facial expressions *understands up to 500 words
*uses gestures / facial expressions *understands up to 500 words
2. Early Production
* speaks 1 - 2 word sentences
* uses present tense almost exclusively
* understands and asks basic "W" questions (who, what when, where why)
*This stage lasts 6 - 12 months.
* uses present tense almost exclusively
* understands and asks basic "W" questions (who, what when, where why)
*This stage lasts 6 - 12 months.
3. Speech Emergent / Beginning Fluency
* 3,000 word vocabulary * speaks in short sentences
* understands simple language * This stage lasts 1 - 3 years.
* may seem more fluent than they are. * listening is stronger than speaking
* understands simple language * This stage lasts 1 - 3 years.
* may seem more fluent than they are. * listening is stronger than speaking
6 Stages of Language Acquisition
5. Intermediate Fluency
* 6,000 word vocabulary * starts to participate in class discussions
* can function academically and socially * vocabulary limited, but growing
* grammar errors lessening * understands most directions
* lasts 3 - 5 years
* can function academically and socially * vocabulary limited, but growing
* grammar errors lessening * understands most directions
* lasts 3 - 5 years
6. Advanced Fluency
* fluent - can communicate effectively
* understands academic concepts
* can use higher level thinking skills in second language
* vocabulary gaps may still exist
* syntax, pronunciation, pragmatics - not perfect, but good
* understands academic concepts
* can use higher level thinking skills in second language
* vocabulary gaps may still exist
* syntax, pronunciation, pragmatics - not perfect, but good
Factors that Affect
Second Language Acquisition
Second Language Acquisition
Native Language Proficiency
* How complex are their sentence structures?
* Is their vocabulary age-appropriate?
* If students are metalinguistically aware, they will be able to compare their
native language to English and learn more quickly.
* If the teacher learns the similarities and differences between the two language,
he or she can use that information to increase learning for the student.
* Is their vocabulary age-appropriate?
* If students are metalinguistically aware, they will be able to compare their
native language to English and learn more quickly.
* If the teacher learns the similarities and differences between the two language,
he or she can use that information to increase learning for the student.
Prior Educational Experience
* Has the student attended school before?
* If so, how was that experience?
* Does the student have solid academic skills in the native language?
* If so, how was that experience?
* Does the student have solid academic skills in the native language?
Factors that Affect
Second Language Acquisition
Second Language Acquisition
Age
Classroom Environment
* People learn languages best when they
start the study before the age of 12.
* The human brain is born with the ability
to learn any language on Earth, but by
12 years of age, it loses some of the
capacity to replicate sounds it hasn't
ever heard. This is why children who
learn a second language can often learn
it with little to no accent.
start the study before the age of 12.
* The human brain is born with the ability
to learn any language on Earth, but by
12 years of age, it loses some of the
capacity to replicate sounds it hasn't
ever heard. This is why children who
learn a second language can often learn
it with little to no accent.
* Is your classroom welcoming?
* Do you have routines that are
easy to learn and follow?
* Do you foster openness and
respect for other cultures in
your classroom?
* Do you have routines that are
easy to learn and follow?
* Do you foster openness and
respect for other cultures in
your classroom?
Instructional Strategies / Supports - See the following pages for more information.
4 Principles of Culturally Responsive Teaching
Welcoming/Affirming Environment
* Create a 'Welcome Basket' with items the student might
need or enjoy, such as school supplies, stickers, a
journal, a typical American toy, etc.
* Students feel safe.
* The classroom has a nonjudgemental atmosphere.
* Discussion with the teacher and among students is
encouraged.
* Different cultures are recognized and respected.
Celebrate various holidays and special events in the
cultures represented in your classroom.
need or enjoy, such as school supplies, stickers, a
journal, a typical American toy, etc.
* Students feel safe.
* The classroom has a nonjudgemental atmosphere.
* Discussion with the teacher and among students is
encouraged.
* Different cultures are recognized and respected.
Celebrate various holidays and special events in the
cultures represented in your classroom.
Inclusive Curriculum
* Expectations are high (but realistic) based on the stage of
fluency.
* Teaching and assessment methods are varied to alleviate the
language barrier. Methods change over time as students
grow in fluency.
fluency.
* Teaching and assessment methods are varied to alleviate the
language barrier. Methods change over time as students
grow in fluency.