Tips for Working with Tips for Working with English Language English Language

LearnersLearners

By: Mark Paskert & Myra Talley By: Mark Paskert & Myra Talley

Who can guess?…Who can guess?…...There are about __________ ESL students in Columbus City Schools...There are about __________ ESL students in Columbus City Schools

A. 1,000 B. 2,500 C. 5,000 D. 8,000 E. 9,200A. 1,000 B. 2,500 C. 5,000 D. 8,000 E. 9,200

Answer: 5,000Answer: 5,000

ESL students make up ESL students make up ___% of CCS___% of CCS

Answer: 12.2%Answer: 12.2%

About 1,800 students speak About 1,800 students speak SPANISHSPANISH

and about 1,500 speak and about 1,500 speak ______________________________

Answer: SomaliAnswer: Somali

Recently Refugees have Recently Refugees have been coming in large been coming in large

numbers from this Asian numbers from this Asian countrycountry

N________N________

Answer: NepalAnswer: Nepal

What is the ethnic makeup of CCS What is the ethnic makeup of CCS students?students?

Approximately 100 countries and languages are Approximately 100 countries and languages are represented in CCSrepresented in CCS

Most students are from Mexico, Somalia, West AfricaMost students are from Mexico, Somalia, West Africa Our newest groups are from Nepal, Iraq, Burundi and Our newest groups are from Nepal, Iraq, Burundi and

MyanmarMyanmar

What is the other name for What is the other name for Myanmar?Myanmar?

Answer: BurmaAnswer: Burma

Most are RefugeesMost are Refugees

What is a like to be a refugee?What is a like to be a refugee?

How would you feel?How would you feel?

Confused?Confused? Anxious?Anxious? Lost?Lost? Scared?Scared? Lonely?Lonely? Sad?Sad?

Now imagine that ...Now imagine that ...……you have never been through a cafeteria lineyou have never been through a cafeteria line……the food in the cafeteria doesn’t look familiar and the food in the cafeteria doesn’t look familiar and you’re not sure what it is (hotdogs)you’re not sure what it is (hotdogs)……the room is loud with people speaking a language the room is loud with people speaking a language you do not understandyou do not understand……you have never used a fork and knifeyou have never used a fork and knife

Understanding Our English Understanding Our English Language LearnersLanguage Learners

4 Domains of Language 4 Domains of Language ListeningListeningSpeaking Speaking ReadingReadingWritingWriting

ESL students range in abilities from ESL students range in abilities from beginner readers to proficient readersbeginner readers to proficient readers

Try to get an idea of their Reading Try to get an idea of their Reading LevelLevel

Reading/Writing strategiesReading/Writing strategies EchoEcho ChoralChoral PartnerPartner PredictingPredicting Summarizing Summarizing Picture walkPicture walk TTQA TTQA Pre-read questionsPre-read questions

When addressing ESL students…When addressing ESL students…

Focus on the MeaningFocus on the Meaning

Making it UnderstandableMaking it UnderstandableExample 1Example 1

Don’t you think it would be a good idea if you use an Don’t you think it would be a good idea if you use an inside voice at the library?inside voice at the library?

Example 2 Example 2

If you need to use a reference book, they are If you need to use a reference book, they are located on the bottom of the second shelf outside located on the bottom of the second shelf outside the tutoring roomthe tutoring room

The ESL The ESL

Yes/No Yes/No GameGame

Let’s Play!Let’s Play!

Do you understand?Do you understand?Do you need help?Do you need help?

Are you OK with your homework?Are you OK with your homework?Do you know how to use a dictionary?Do you know how to use a dictionary?

Letter to teachers (ESL and homeroom teacher)Letter to teachers (ESL and homeroom teacher)

Helping without Helping-Helping without Helping-Too MuchToo Much

Juggling your students Juggling your students Getting them started Getting them started

Use the dictionary for practice- OAA/OGTUse the dictionary for practice- OAA/OGT Multiplication FactsMultiplication Facts Spelling PracticeSpelling Practice

Use Vocabulary list from teacherUse Vocabulary list from teacher Use High Frequency Word List Use High Frequency Word List

Read pattern textRead pattern text Using computerUsing computer

ODE for Practice testODE for Practice test StarfallStarfall

The Do’s (Short List)The Do’s (Short List) Use visuals (Google Images)Use visuals (Google Images) Introduce vocabulary in contextIntroduce vocabulary in context PrintPrint Give written as well as oral directions Give written as well as oral directions Assign buddiesAssign buddies Work from the concrete to the abstractWork from the concrete to the abstract Speak slowly and clearlySpeak slowly and clearly Simplify directions and commandsSimplify directions and commands Be patientBe patient Increase “wait time”Increase “wait time”

The Don'ts's (short list)The Don'ts's (short list) Don’t over correctDon’t over correct Don’t focus on grammar errors Don’t focus on grammar errors Don’t focus on spelling (except for high freq.)Don’t focus on spelling (except for high freq.) Don’t use convoluted statements/directionsDon’t use convoluted statements/directions Don’t use idiomsDon’t use idioms Don’t speak too quicklyDon’t speak too quickly Don’t assume ESL students are at the same Eng. levelDon’t assume ESL students are at the same Eng. level