So

You Have to Teach an

ELL Student?

A Survival Guide on How to
Teach ELL Students

By Megan Molitoris
















http://www.harmonygardenmusic.com/blog/blog/kin
dermusik-and-ell-students

The Basics!

ELL Development Stages

Do you know your terms?
- ELL (English Language
Learner)
- ESL (English as a
Second Language)
- ELP (English Level
Proficiency)
- LEP (Limited English
Proficiency)
The ELL is the student you will
have in the classroom and will
be teaching. You need to know
what proficiency level your ELL
student is currently at.

4 Areas of English Proficiency
1- Reading
2- Listening
3- Speaking
4- Writing
All ELL students may move at a
different pace, or may be
comfortable with reading, but
not speaking etc..

ELL students may be in

http://www.geckorecru
different stages in their itment.com/blog/is-the-
smiley-face-king-of-
email-land/
language development.

You need to make sure
you know what they are!
Stages of Development
1-Pre- Production- student knows
basic vocabulary, is mimicking those
around them
2-Early Production- using simple
vocab, reliant on native language,
should use pictures to build vocab,
answers yes and no questions
3-Speech Emergence- working on
pronunciation and grammar, can
make simple sentences, and can last
from 1-3 years
4-Intermediate Fluency- working on
sentence structure and grammar,
and comprehension of English
history
5-working on context and sentence
structures, interacting with native
speakers, and history is their most
difficult subject

Things to Remember!

The Silent Period
-

-
https://pocketgarden.w
ordpress.com/2010/11
/04/thinking-about-
winnie-the-pooh-
thinking/

Your ELL student may go

through a silent period!
This is a time where the
student is not comfortable
speaking the language, but
is observing those around
him/her.
Do not force a student to
speak during this time
because it could
discourage them, or make
them not want to learn the
language.

BICS vs. CALP

BICS: Basic Interpersonal

Communication Skills
- BICS is social language. It
occurs outside of the
classroom and is the social
interaction between the
ELL student and other
students. It lasts from 6
months- 2 years to master.
- CALP: Cognitive Academic
Language Proficiency

CALP is the academic

language that the student
uses in the classroom. It is
more sophisticated. The
student may have control
of the language, but still
may struggle writing it
down. Can take 7-10 years
to master.
REMEMBER Just because
a student can speak the
language (BICS) does not
mean they are fluent
(CALP).

Effective Filter
-
-
-

Try to keep the students

effective filter low
Set up a nonstressful
environment
Support the student in the
classroom

Internal vs. External

Factors
These factors can influence
the ELL students learning!
- Internal Factors: Age,
teacher, resources
available, personality of
student etc..

External Factors:
Motivation, access to
native speakers, practice
at home, home
environment etc..

Things to Do!

- Incorporate their
language
- Vary Instructional
Methods
- Use Visuals (ex:
videos, photos etc.)
- Encourage Group
Work
- Encourage students
to ask questions
- Be available to
students
- Speak SLOWLY, but
not too slowly
- Establish a routine
- Try to make the
lessons engaging and
meaningful!
Have Fun!!!

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8597935_hedge
hog-pointing--
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illustration.html