School can be a stressful experience for students who do not have a solid command of the English language. It can not only be difficult for these students to understand course content in a language they are only beginning to master, but often these students are new arrivals to the country and can be experiencing a culture shock. In the 2014-2015 school year, English language learners accounted for 9.4% of the overall American student population.
Essential Questions
How can we help ELLs complete basic classroom tasks?
How can we help ESL students understand lectures and participate in class discussions?
How can we evaluate ELL's subject matter knowledge without punishing them for lack of English proficiency?
How can we help ELLs complete basic classroom tasks?
How can we help ESL students understand lectures and participate in class discussions?
How can we evaluate ELL's subject matter knowledge without punishing them for lack of English proficiency?
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Terminology:
English Language Learner (ELL) English as a Second Language (ESL) English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) English as a New Language (ENL) Teacher of English as a Second Language (TESL) Limited English Proficient (LEP) limited English language proficiency language acquistion academic English |
formal English social English native language fluency bilingual differentiated instruction mainstream portfolio assessment scaffolding |
Articles and Advice on ESL Education
Using Comics to Teach English Language Learners
This article from School Library Journal details ways you can help ELLs learn by using comics and graphics novels. The article details the best practices of an experienced ESL teacher turned librarian. It provides resources for assignments as well as suggested texts.
Project Based Learning: A Tool for Engaging ELLs
While this article from Scholastic is designed for younger students, the framework of using project based learning can be adapted for high school students. It provides links to other articles exploring project based learning.
12 Ways to Support English Learners in the Mainstream Classroom
Three experienced ESL teachers provide 12 different strategies classroom teachers can implement to support ELLs in their classes.
Guidelines for Mainstream Teachers of ESL Students
Helpful classroom guidelines, dos and don'ts and tips for classroom subject teachers of ELLs. These tips are provided from the Frankfurt International School in Oberursel, Germany, which is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
Advice on Teaching ESL Students (FAQ)
This page addresses frequently asked questions by teachers of ELLs. These questions and answers were designed by the Frankfurt International School but are of use to any educator dealing with a student who is learning English.
Assessing ESL Students in the Subject Classroom
This provides an overview of classroom assessment and ways in which to tailor this to ESL students. It makes suggestions of modifications, accommodations, feedback and grading.
Preparing ESL-Friendly Worksheets and Tests
This page provides tips on creating worksheets and tests for ESL students. It provides suggestions on how to make language more comprehensible and how to make writing assignments more accessible for ELLs.
Assessing ELLs in ESL or Mainstream Classrooms: Quick Fixes for Busy Teachers
This article from The Internet TESL Journal provides concrete suggestions from two university professors how to handle grading ESL students in mainstream subject classes.
Portfolios in Secondary ESL Classroom Assessment
This article is from the The Intercultural Development Research Association, which is a non-profit organization whose "mission is to achieve equal educational opportunity for every child through strong public schools that prepare all students to access and succeed in college." It explains the concept of portfolio assessment, models for portfolios, determining the contents, as well as assessment and evaluation.
Using Comics to Teach English Language Learners
This article from School Library Journal details ways you can help ELLs learn by using comics and graphics novels. The article details the best practices of an experienced ESL teacher turned librarian. It provides resources for assignments as well as suggested texts.
Project Based Learning: A Tool for Engaging ELLs
While this article from Scholastic is designed for younger students, the framework of using project based learning can be adapted for high school students. It provides links to other articles exploring project based learning.
12 Ways to Support English Learners in the Mainstream Classroom
Three experienced ESL teachers provide 12 different strategies classroom teachers can implement to support ELLs in their classes.
Guidelines for Mainstream Teachers of ESL Students
Helpful classroom guidelines, dos and don'ts and tips for classroom subject teachers of ELLs. These tips are provided from the Frankfurt International School in Oberursel, Germany, which is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
Advice on Teaching ESL Students (FAQ)
This page addresses frequently asked questions by teachers of ELLs. These questions and answers were designed by the Frankfurt International School but are of use to any educator dealing with a student who is learning English.
Assessing ESL Students in the Subject Classroom
This provides an overview of classroom assessment and ways in which to tailor this to ESL students. It makes suggestions of modifications, accommodations, feedback and grading.
Preparing ESL-Friendly Worksheets and Tests
This page provides tips on creating worksheets and tests for ESL students. It provides suggestions on how to make language more comprehensible and how to make writing assignments more accessible for ELLs.
Assessing ELLs in ESL or Mainstream Classrooms: Quick Fixes for Busy Teachers
This article from The Internet TESL Journal provides concrete suggestions from two university professors how to handle grading ESL students in mainstream subject classes.
Portfolios in Secondary ESL Classroom Assessment
This article is from the The Intercultural Development Research Association, which is a non-profit organization whose "mission is to achieve equal educational opportunity for every child through strong public schools that prepare all students to access and succeed in college." It explains the concept of portfolio assessment, models for portfolios, determining the contents, as well as assessment and evaluation.
Resources for Use in the ESL Classroom
11 English Podcasts Every English Learner Should Listen To
FluentU, an English language and culture blog, lists 11 podcasts that will help with English acquisition. It describes each podcast in detail and provides links to where you can find them online or for download.
BBC Learning English
Part of the BBC World Service, BBC Learning English offers free audio, video and text-based materials for ELLs. Many materials are delivered as full length courses but each component is standalone and can be used on its own.
Google Images
Teachers can use this powerful search engine to find pictures to accompany vocabulary words to enhance students' understanding.
Merriam-Webster Visual Dictionary Online
Merriam-Webster provides an online version of its visual dictionary. Students can search for words or explore vocabulary by searching through 15 major themes including society, sports & games and transportation.
International Children's Digital Library
The International Children's Digital Library's mission is to "support the world's children in becoming effective members of the global community - who exhibit tolerance and respect for diverse cultures, languages and ideas -- by making the best in children's literature available online free of charge." It has books in over 50 different languages. While geared towards children, this is a free resources where ESL students can find materials for free in their native language.
ESL Lesson Plans from the Internet TESL Journal
Numerous lesson plans are provided for ESL teachers, including lessons on conversational English, grammar, reading, culture, and the Internet.
Games and Activities for the ESL Classroom
This wiki is sponsored by the Internet TESL Journal and has over 100 games shared by ESL teachers that work well with ELLs.
Quizzes, Tests, Exercises and Puzzles for ESL Students
Another project of the Internet TESL Journal, this webpage offers a myriad of resources for use in the ESL classroom, including grammar and vocabulary quizzes and bilingual quizzes offered in nearly 50 different languages.
11 English Podcasts Every English Learner Should Listen To
FluentU, an English language and culture blog, lists 11 podcasts that will help with English acquisition. It describes each podcast in detail and provides links to where you can find them online or for download.
BBC Learning English
Part of the BBC World Service, BBC Learning English offers free audio, video and text-based materials for ELLs. Many materials are delivered as full length courses but each component is standalone and can be used on its own.
Google Images
Teachers can use this powerful search engine to find pictures to accompany vocabulary words to enhance students' understanding.
Merriam-Webster Visual Dictionary Online
Merriam-Webster provides an online version of its visual dictionary. Students can search for words or explore vocabulary by searching through 15 major themes including society, sports & games and transportation.
International Children's Digital Library
The International Children's Digital Library's mission is to "support the world's children in becoming effective members of the global community - who exhibit tolerance and respect for diverse cultures, languages and ideas -- by making the best in children's literature available online free of charge." It has books in over 50 different languages. While geared towards children, this is a free resources where ESL students can find materials for free in their native language.
ESL Lesson Plans from the Internet TESL Journal
Numerous lesson plans are provided for ESL teachers, including lessons on conversational English, grammar, reading, culture, and the Internet.
Games and Activities for the ESL Classroom
This wiki is sponsored by the Internet TESL Journal and has over 100 games shared by ESL teachers that work well with ELLs.
Quizzes, Tests, Exercises and Puzzles for ESL Students
Another project of the Internet TESL Journal, this webpage offers a myriad of resources for use in the ESL classroom, including grammar and vocabulary quizzes and bilingual quizzes offered in nearly 50 different languages.
Professional Organizations for ESL Teachers
TESOL International Association
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is an international professional organization whose mission focuses on advancing quality English language education through professional development, research, standards and advocacy. Members have access to a variety of professional development resources including virtual seminar, symposiums, online classes, conferences and more. Members also receive the online TESOL Journal and the bi-weekly web publication English Language Bulletin.
National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
The National Council for Teachers of English is an organization for K-12 educators of English. The organization's focus is on literacy, language arts and English education. Their mission is to promote "development of literacy, the use of language to construct personal and public worlds and to achieve full participation in society, through the learning and teaching of English and the related arts and sciences of language." They support educators with access to professional journal and publicications, lesson ideas, teaching strategies and an annual conference as well as other professional development events.
International Literacy Association (ILA)
The International Literacy Association's missions is "to empower educators, inspire students, and encourage leaders with the resources they need to make literacy accessible for all." They are an international association with over 300,000 members from 78 different countries. They publish cutting-edge research, write standards for literacy teacher education, support educators through awards and grants and advocate for literacy worldwide.
N.J. Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages/N.J. Bilingual Educators (NJTESOL/NJBE)
NJTESOL/NJBE is a professional organization of ESL and bilingual education teachers for all grade levels. Membership is open to all educators interested in current information on educating bilingual and ESL students. It operates under the umbrella of the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA). They sponsor several conferences throughout the year as well as host online discussions of hot topics in ESL education.
TESOL International Association
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is an international professional organization whose mission focuses on advancing quality English language education through professional development, research, standards and advocacy. Members have access to a variety of professional development resources including virtual seminar, symposiums, online classes, conferences and more. Members also receive the online TESOL Journal and the bi-weekly web publication English Language Bulletin.
National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
The National Council for Teachers of English is an organization for K-12 educators of English. The organization's focus is on literacy, language arts and English education. Their mission is to promote "development of literacy, the use of language to construct personal and public worlds and to achieve full participation in society, through the learning and teaching of English and the related arts and sciences of language." They support educators with access to professional journal and publicications, lesson ideas, teaching strategies and an annual conference as well as other professional development events.
International Literacy Association (ILA)
The International Literacy Association's missions is "to empower educators, inspire students, and encourage leaders with the resources they need to make literacy accessible for all." They are an international association with over 300,000 members from 78 different countries. They publish cutting-edge research, write standards for literacy teacher education, support educators through awards and grants and advocate for literacy worldwide.
N.J. Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages/N.J. Bilingual Educators (NJTESOL/NJBE)
NJTESOL/NJBE is a professional organization of ESL and bilingual education teachers for all grade levels. Membership is open to all educators interested in current information on educating bilingual and ESL students. It operates under the umbrella of the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA). They sponsor several conferences throughout the year as well as host online discussions of hot topics in ESL education.
