8G) Reduce supports as proficiency grows
Introduce longer phrases and sentences and offer less support as ML children’s English proficiency grows.
Video: Language Function Wall—1st Grade
This video shows a first grade class engaged in the creation of a "Language Function Wall." This strategy helps students develop powerful academic language over the course of a thematic unit.Read More
Video: Soyul & Teacher Yvette—Beginning a New Language
This video is a series of excerpts from the first months of preschool for Soyul, a Korean-speaking Multilingual Learner. The video showcases instructional moves that the teacher, Yvette, makes to teach English language development during Soyul's initial silent period.Read More
Video: The Stages of Preschool Second Language Acquisition
In this video, the term the four stages of second language development for early education are described and then exemplified through teaching vignettes between one teacher and one Korean-speaking Multilingual Learner.Read More
Video & Video Guide: Adventures in Preschool Second Language Acquisition
This video showcases the relationship between one teacher and one Korean-speaking Multilingual Learner and her family. The video includes vignettes of teaching, interviews with the teacher, the family, and administrators, and many rich examples of English development teaching strategies. The accompanying guide suggests moments in the video to pause to notice teachers’ practice, along with prompts for reflection and discussion.Read More
Blog: Adjusting Our Talk with ELLs
This blog post offers specific instructional moves the teacher can make to ensure that Multilingual Learners understand spoken language in the classroom.Read More
Strategy Overview: Do Leveled Readers Help or Hurt My ELs?
Leveled text can be problematic for Multilingual Learners because it does not always expose them to the rich, authentic, and challenging language associated with grade-level texts. In these resources, teachers can read about the dos and don'ts of selecting text and scaffolding teaching for Multilingual Learners.Read More
Tip Sheet: Language Modeling and Conversations
This tip sheet lists strategies that teachers can use to support Multilingual Learners’ oral language skills. Strategies include: adjusting questions and responses to match children’s cues, using pictures and gestures when introducing new words, and expanding children’s statements.Read More
Tip Sheet: Supporting English Language Development When Children Have Little Experience with English
This resource provides several ways that teachers can support Multilingual Learners (MLs) in their English language development, even if teachers do not speak the learner's home language. Strategies include modeling English in one-on-one conversations, waiting for MLs to process language, and using a mix of closed- and open-ended questions.Read More
Video: Tips for Teaching Newcomers
This video introduces instructional tips that elementary teachers can use to support instruction for newcomer Multilingual Learners, including visuals, gradual release, shared writing, and recognizing what students are bringing to their learning.Read More
Strategy Overview: Decodable Readers Protocols
This document discusses the varied ways in which teachers can use decodable texts with Multilingual Learners, to offer more or less support. These texts are important for students to practice sound and spelling patterns, high-frequency words, and phonics lessons.Read More
Strategy Overview: Selecting and Using Academic Vocabulary in Instruction
This document reviews criteria for how to select academic vocabulary for instruction with Multilingual Learners and offers other supports for vocabulary instruction.Read More
Video: Model Curriculum for English Learners- How Do I Feel? (Kindergarten)
In this video, a designated teacher for Multilingual Learners talks through her objectives for a read-aloud lesson. She builds in practice opportunities for the students to use the language of feelings, the language of sequence, and specific use of pronouns. She also uses instructional tools like graphic organizers and an end-of-unit rubric to support student experiences in reading, writing, speaking, and listening in English. A link to the whole unit plan is available on the video's YouTube page.Read More
Video: Integrated & Designated ELD- Kindergarten
In this integrated ELD video, the teacher focuses on developing the academic English language that Multilingual Learners need to access content instruction. She uses chants, repetition, small group instruction, and numerous other supports.Read More
Strategy Overview: Teacher as Language Model
This resource outlines strategies teachers can use to model and extend Multilingual Learners' oral language skills. Strategies include narration (describing what the teacher is seeing and thinking) and amplification (paraphrasing a child's statement in more complex and extended language and asking a follow-up question).Read More
