Session 6: Teaching English Learners

Effective Literacy and English Language Instruction for English Learners in the Elementary Grades practice guide

Recommendation 1: Screen for reading problems and monitor progress

Recommendation 2: Provide intensive small-group reading interventions

Recommendation 3: Provide extensive and varied vocabulary instruction

Recommendation 4: Develop academic English

Recommendation 5: Schedule regular peer-assisted learning opportunities

 

Materials

 

*Optional Materials

 

Define Session Goals

  1. Review the recommendations in the practice guide to gain an understanding of best practices for teaching English Learners.
  2. Identify classroom practices that are practical applications of the recommendations.
  3. Choose one practice to focus on implementing in your classroom.

 

Learn About the Recommendation and How-to Steps

Although we are looking at the recommendations from the Effective Literacy and English Language Instruction for English Learners in the Elementary Grades practice guide in this session, the recommendations from the Teaching Academic Content and Literacy to English Learners in Elementary and Middle School practice guide aligns. Activities for this session apply to grades K-12. You may wish to overview the recommendation from this practice guide if you have teachers of older students.

Let’s review the recommendations in the practice guide on pages 7 and 8. You’ll see that the recommendations are listed and there is a checklist for carrying out the recommendation under each one. These could be considered the “how-to” steps in this practice guide. You will see that some of the steps should be conducted at the district level, some are applicable to the school level, and others can be applied at the classroom level. With a partner, read through the recommendations and the checklists under each one. Identify those that should be implemented in the classroom. Talk about those you have incorporated and those that you may want to address more fully.

 

Collaborate

Now let’s divide into small groups. Please choose one recommendation that your group would like to read thoroughly and discuss. Please complete Activity 6.1: English Learner Research and Recommendations and be ready to share out with the whole group.

  • Recommendation 1: Screen for reading problems and monitor progress (pgs. 9-14)
  • Recommendation 2: Provide intensive small-group reading interventions (pgs. 15-18)
  • Recommendation 3: Provide extensive and varied vocabulary instruction (pgs. 19-22)
  • Recommendation 4: Develop academic English (pgs. 23-27)
  • Recommendation 5: Schedule regular peer-assisted learning opportunities (pgs. 28-30)

 

Reflect and Next Steps

Reflection. Sharing with the whole group:

  1. What are some things you are already doing that are in the recommendation your group read?
  2. What are some things your group did not know before reading the recommendation?
  3. What are some practices in the recommendation that you might incorporate into your instruction?
  4. What does your group consider the most important thing to remember about this recommendation?

Next Steps. Modify your reading instruction based on one of the recommendations in the practice guide. Perhaps you will increase the emphasis on vocabulary, focus more on developing academic English, or dedicate time for peer-assisted learning opportunities. Even if you do not serve English learners, incorporating practices related to these areas can be helpful to all students. Complete Activity 6.2 and be ready to share your experiences in the next session.

  1. How did you modify your instruction based on the recommendation you chose?
  2. How did your students respond to your instruction?
  3. How did you (or will you) determine whether the changes you made resulted in improved student learning?

Keep in mind that you will develop and deliver a series of lessons as a culminating project at the end of this course. Consider including what we have discussed today in your lessons. Your instruction will demonstrate the knowledge and skills gained from our PLC sessions.

*Optional materials may be used to deepen the knowledge of the participants. Articles may be read, discussed, and strategies described within them practiced in the classroom.