Learn 7 key strategies classroom teachers must know to provide an effective learning environment for ELLs.
In Teaching English Language Learners Across the
Content Areas (ASCD, 2010), Debbie Zacarian and I listed seven teaching
strategies for mainstream teachers of ELLs. These seven strategies are designed
to help teachers meet the needs of all the students in their classes and to
help make the mainstream classroom more inclusive for ELLs.
1. Provide comprehensible input for ELLs. Language is not
“soaked up.” The learner must understand the message that is conveyed.
Comprehensible input is a hypothesis first proposed by Stephen Krashen.
(Krashen, 1981) He purports that ELLs acquire language by hearing and
understanding messages that are slightly above their current English language
level. When newcomers are assigned to a mainstream classroom and spend most of
their day in this environment it is especially critical for them to receive
comprehensible input from their teachers and classmates. If that teacher
provides information by lecturing in the front of a classroom, the English
language learner will not be receiving this input. Teachers need to speak more
slowly, use gestures and body language to get across the meaning to ELLs.
2. Make lessons visual. Use visual representations of new
vocabulary and use graphs, maps, photographs, drawings and charts to introduce
new vocabulary and concepts. Tell a story about information in the textbook
using visuals. Create semantic and story maps, graphic organizers to teach
students how to organize information.
3. Link new information to prior knowledge. Teachers need to
consider what schema ELL students brings to the classroom and to link
instruction to the students’ personal, cultural, and world experiences.
Teachers also need to know what their students do not know. They must
understand how culture impacts learning in their classroom.
4. Determine key concepts for the unit and define language
and content objects for each lesson. Teachers write the key concept for a unit
of study in student-friendly language and post it in the room. New learning
should be tied to this concept. Additionally, teachers should begin each lesson
by writing a content objective on the board. At the end of the lesson, students
should be asked if the objective was met. Classroom teachers also need to set
language objectives for the ELLs in their class. A language objective might be
to learn new vocabulary, find the nouns in a lesson, or apply a grammar rule.
5. Modify vocabulary instruction for ELLs. English language
learners require direct instruction of new vocabulary. Teachers should also
provide practice in pronouncing new words. ELLs need much more exposure to new
terms, words, idioms, and phrases than do English fluent peers. Teachers need
to tie new vocabulary to prior learning and use visual to reinforce meaning.
Content area teachers should teach new vocabulary words that occur in the text
as well as those related to the subject matter. Word wall should be used at all
grade levels.
6.Use cooperative learning strategies. Lecture style
teaching excludes ELLs from the learning in a classroom We don’t want to
relegate ELLs to the fringes of the classroom doing a separate lesson with a
classroom aide or ESL teacher. Working in small groups is especially beneficial
to ELLs who have an authentic reason to use academic vocabulary and real
reasons to discuss key concepts. ELLs benefit from cooperative learning
structures. Give students a job in a group. Monitor that they are
participating.
7. Modify testing and homework for ELLs. Content area
homework and assessments needs to be differentiated for ELLs. Teachers should
allow alternative types of assessment: oral, drawings, physical response (e.g.,
act-it-out), and manipulatives as well as modification to the test. Homework and
assessment should be directly linked to classroom instruction and students
should be provided with study guides so that they know what to study. Remember
that the ELLs in your class may not be able to take notes.
by Judie Haynes @ http://www.everythingesl.net/
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar