Click below to hear what to do if you’re short on time:
How can you have the biggest impact in helping your ELL students develop their English language skills when you’re short on time? As teachers, we are pulled in many directions and constantly need to decide where to focus our time and attention. There are two often overlooked areas that we can focus on that will make a big difference in how well our students will be able to speak, read, and write in English.
Today’s episode is all about where to spend your time with your ELL students when you’re short on time. I’ll share the two areas I believe we should be spending more time on with our students and simple activities that you can add to your lesson plans that will reap great rewards for your students. As always, what is good for your ELL students is good for all your students!
One of the most important things for you as a teacher of ELLs to know is what is appropriate for your students at each language and grade level so they can continue to progress. I have created this free tool you can use to help you set clear expectations for your students and ensure their success.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Why listening comprehension is so critical
- 3 easy ways to make listening more common in your day-to-day teaching
- Powerful tools students can use in the classroom or at home to support listening comprehension
- Ways to increase language output through speaking and writing
- Importance of creating a safe environment where it is expected that students speak
- How to determine appropriate expectations and tasks are for students at various language and grade levels
Related resources:
- Free set of WIDA Can-Do Descriptors
- Monthly Close Reading Activities
- Vooks
- Raz-Kids
- Screencastify
- Mote
- Equipping ELLs Membership
- ELL Strategy Academy
- Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs
Related episodes and blog posts:
- Episode 5, 3 Things to STOP Doing with ELLs (and What to do Instead)
- Episode 2, 3 Step Framework For Supporting ELLs
- How to Turn Any Book into a Listening Center (A Video Tutorial)
- How to Shorten the Silent Period in Your ELL Students
- The 6 Essentials to Planning Lessons with ELLs in Mind
Connect with Beth:
- Join the Facebook group: Inspiring Young Learners Engage!
- Follow her on Instagram @inspiringyounglearners.
More about Equipping ELLs:
We all know that teaching isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be this hard. Equipping ELLs is a podcast for both ESL specialists and homeroom teachers who are looking for effective and engaging ways to support their English Language Learners without adding to their endless to-do list. Tune in each week to hear tips, strategies, and inspirational stories that will empower you to better reach your ELL students, equip them with life-long skills, and strengthen relationships with colleagues and parents.
Your host, Beth Vaucher, is the founder of Inspiring Young Learners. She is an ESL certified homeroom teacher with over 10 years of experience teaching in the US and internationally. Her background of M.Ed in ESL and Curriculum and Instruction combined with her experience has led her to develop a bestselling newcomer curriculum that has sold in over 90 countries around the globe. She brings a different perspective to teaching ELLs from her years teaching and living abroad and working with ELLs from around the world. You will walk away from each episode with the ideas and tools you need to transform your experience as a teacher and cultivate a thriving and welcoming environment for your ELL students.
One Comment
This was a great podcast, thanks!
You mentioned learning Spanish and your lack of listening comp. I struggle with that, too. Aside from listening to the news, can you recommend another platform that focuses on this. I can speak some Spanish-high beginner level, I’d say. I have a few Spanish speaking newcomers who speak so fast that I’m struggling to understand them and I don’t want to always shove the translator in their faces…lol!
Just joined Equipping ELL’s last month and trying to sort out all of your wonderful resources.
Thanks,
Lynn