Planning for English Language Learners

There are six different stages of the second language acquisition. All ELL students go through the same stages. Just some take longer than others. 

Stage 1: Pre-Production: Vocabulary and Language Development. They are grasping new words but not yet speaking them. They will repeat a lot of what they learn.  Copying and writing down what they see on the blackboard. 

Stage 2: Early Production: This can last up to six months and they can typically speak one-word/two-work phrases. Guided interaction is used and "teachers structure lessons so students work together to understand what they read—by listening, speaking, reading, and writing collaboratively about the academic concepts in the text." (reference)

.Stage 3: Speech Emergence: Their vocabulary has become larger. They have short conversations with classmates. They can write about short topics. They are no longer just memorizing.  Teachers are using metacognition and authentic assessment.

Stage 4: Intermediate Fluency:  Their vocabulary has advanced to over 6,000 words, using more complex sentences.  They can work in math & science classes, with support. Teachers use explicit instruction.

Stage 5: Advanced Fluency:"It takes students from 4-10 years to achieve cognitive academic language proficiency in a second language. Student at this stage will be near-native in their ability to perform in content area learning." (Haynes, Stages of Second 

Language Acquisition).  Teachers use meaning-based context and universal themes.

"The final strategy is the use of modeling, graphic organizers, and visuals. The use of a variety of visual aids, including pictures, diagrams, and charts, helps all students—and especially ELL students—easily recognize essential information and its relationship to supporting ideas. Visuals make both the language and the content more accessible to students." (reference)

Next semester I am likely to be teaching 2nd graders Math on place value.  I personally this modeling is one of the best tools you can use.  ELL students need to not just hear but see what the lesson is.  You want to engage the students and get them excited.  I personally think when it comes to Math, using games on the tables in groups is a great way.  This video is an example of game I could use and how I would teach place value to my students. I have used dice before in a classroom when teaching math-just a differnt game.  Notice how the teacher, models on the screen what they will be doing. Next, she makes sure to ask questions-by calling on students by name.  I would slow down my rate of speech more than her in my classroom, in consideration of my ELL students.  In addition, I would "check for understanding". Go around the room once they have begun to make sure my ELL learners have grasped the concept. 

Encouraging development in the classroom and at home is important too. So along with this game, I would provide something students can do at home as well.  Flashcard games would work best.  For example here is one you can print offline for free.