Shownotes
As educators, making the most of our limited time with ELL students is crucial. But what exactly should you be teaching English language learners to ensure effective learning outcomes?
In this episode of Equipping ELLs, host Beth Vaucher provides essential guidance for educators on determining what to teach their ELLs. This episode builds on previous discussions about understanding your students and the Silent Period, focusing on how to choose appropriate lessons based on students' backgrounds and proficiency levels. We explore four key types of lessons—Foundational English, Content-Focused with Scaffolds, Domain-Specific Instruction, and Skill-Specific Lessons—each tailored to different learning needs and stages. Listeners will gain practical tips for aligning instruction with student needs, making informed teaching decisions, and creating a supportive learning environment. Tune in to enhance your ELL teaching strategies, to better support your students' academic growth, and to make the most of your instructional and planning time.
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Transcripts
Welcome to Equipping ELLs, the podcast that provides educators with the tools, strategies, and insights needed to support English Language Learners. I’m Beth, and today, we’re continuing our series focused on helping you create an effective and supportive learning environment for your ELL students.
In our previous episodes, we discussed the importance of understanding who your students are and how to help them overcome the Silent Period. Today, we’re diving into the next crucial question: What should you teach your ELL students? Deciding what to teach is a significant responsibility, and it’s directly tied to your understanding of your students' unique backgrounds, language proficiency levels, and learning needs.
Before you can determine what to teach, it’s essential to connect back to the importance of knowing who your students are. Let’s explore how that knowledge informs your teaching decisions and then dive into four types of lessons you can choose to teach: foundational English, content-focused lessons with scaffolds, domain-specific instruction, and skill-specific lessons.
Segment 1: The Connection Between WHO and WHAT
Knowing who your students are is the foundation for deciding what to teach them. By understanding their language proficiency, cultural background, and prior educational experiences, you can tailor your instruction to meet their specific needs. This understanding allows you to select lessons that build on their strengths while addressing areas where they need more support, ensuring that your teaching is both relevant and effective.
Segment 2: Four Types of Lessons to Teach Your ELL Students
Foundational English Lessons
What It Is: Foundational English lessons focus on building basic language skills that students need to communicate in everyday situations. This includes lessons on vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and simple sentence structures.
When to Use It: Foundational English lessons are particularly important for beginner-level students who are new to the language. These lessons help them build a strong foundation in English, enabling them to participate more fully in the classroom and in daily life.
Example Lesson: Teaching common phrases and greetings, such as “My name is…”, “How are you?”, or “Where is…?”. These lessons can be paired with visuals, role-playing activities, and repetitive practice to reinforce learning.
Content-Focused Lessons with Scaffolds
What It Is: These lessons focus on teaching grade-level content in subjects like math, science, and social studies, while providing language supports or “scaffolds” to help ELL students access the material. Scaffolds can include visuals, graphic organizers, sentence frames, and modified texts.
When to Use It: Use content-focused lessons with scaffolds when you want to ensure that your ELL students can engage with the same academic content as their peers while still building their language skills. This is especially important for intermediate-level students who are ready to learn more complex concepts but need language support.
Example Lesson: A science lesson on the water cycle that uses labeled diagrams, simplified text, and sentence starters like “The water evaporates when…”. These scaffolds allow ELL students to grasp key concepts and participate in class discussions.
Domain-Specific Instruction
What It Is: Domain-specific instruction focuses on teaching English vocabulary and skills related to a particular academic domain or subject area. This could include technical vocabulary, specific genres of writing, or specialized language used in certain fields like mathematics or history.
When to Use It: Domain-specific instruction is ideal for students who have a solid foundation in English but need to expand their language skills to succeed in specific subjects. This approach helps them acquire the language they need to excel in content areas they are passionate about or find challenging.
Example Lesson: Teaching historical analysis skills in a social studies class by focusing on key terms like “cause and effect,” “primary sources,” or “bias.” Students learn to use these terms in context, helping them better understand and communicate about historical events.
Skill-Specific Lessons
What It Is: Skill-specific lessons target a particular language skill, such as reading comprehension, writing fluency, listening, or speaking. These lessons are designed to strengthen specific areas where students need additional practice or support.
When to Use It: Use skill-specific lessons when you’ve identified a particular area where a student needs improvement. For example, if a student struggles with listening comprehension, you might focus on that skill through targeted listening exercises.
Example Lesson: A writing lesson that focuses on constructing coherent paragraphs with a topic sentence, supporting details, and a conclusion. You can use graphic organizers to help students plan their writing and practice using transitional phrases.
Segment 3: Practical Tips for Deciding What to Teach
As you determine what to teach your ELL students, here are a few practical tips to keep in mind:
Assess Regularly: Use formative assessments to gauge your students’ progress and adjust your lessons accordingly. This could be as simple as observing their participation in class or using quick exit tickets to check understanding.
Be Flexible: Recognize that your students’ needs may change over time. Be prepared to shift your focus from foundational lessons to content-focused or skill-specific instruction as they progress.
Involve Students in the Process: Ask your students about their interests and goals. When students are involved in setting their own learning objectives, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated.
Conclusion:
Deciding what to teach your ELL students is a critical step in their learning journey. By first understanding who your students are, you can make informed decisions about the types of lessons that will best meet their needs. Whether it’s foundational English, content-focused instruction with scaffolds, domain-specific learning, or skill-specific practice, each approach has its place in helping your students succeed.
Thank you for joining us today on Equipping ELLs. I hope this episode has given you the tools and insights you need to make thoughtful decisions about what to teach your ELL students. Remember, the key to effective instruction is knowing your students and meeting them where they are.
Be sure to tune in next week as we continue to explore strategies for supporting ELL students in the classroom. If you found today’s episode helpful, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review.
Until next time, keep equipping, empowering, and elevating every learner in your classroom.
Outro:
Thank you for listening to this episode of Equipping ELLs. For more resources, tips, and support, be sure to follow us on Instagram or visit our website at inspiringyounglearners.com or equippingells.com. Together, let’s ensure that every student has the tools they need to succeed, one lesson at a time.