Textbook Strategies

Looking for some teaching strategies?

Let's get some advice from the professionals...

Total Physical Response (TPR)

     With the TPR strategy, the educator will gradually introduce commands, acting the commands out as he/she states them. Once the students' understanding grows, the educator demonstrations are dropped and the students are expected to respond to the verbal commands only.  (Page 28)

Manipulatives Strategy

     This strategy is described as an approach using “concrete devices that students can move and handle to support their thinking and learning". For the Manipulative Strategy to be effective, educators must “demonstrate their use while simultaneously modeling the connection to academic language”. (Page 58)

Free Voluntary Reading 
     After identifying the independent reading levels of students, allow students to chose books that interest them within their reading levels. Provide opportunities for students to read their chosen books, as well as discussion times where they can talk about what they are reading and why they like it. Encourage students to keep a log of the books they have read, allowing the educator to keep track of each students' progress. (Page 216)


Shared Reading
      If a text is too difficult for students to read independently, shared reading is a great strategy to employ. Students and the teacher read the text aloud together- allowing the teacher to build upon background knowledge and experiences that help students understand the text. Pre-reading of the material is essential, as well as frequent stops allowing students to interact with and discuss the text. (Page 69)


Reporting Back
     This strategy encourages students to connect their written and spoken language. After a learning experience, have students write down what activity was completed or concept learned. Once students are given time to write the information down, give them time to discuss with one another- encouraging the use of connected vocabulary or course concepts. In the final step, students will present or "report back" what was learned to the class or in small groups. (Page 101)

Reference:
Herrell, A. L., & Jordan, M. (2015) 50 strategies for teaching English language learners (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education. 

I am an ELL...

If you are an ELL, you have come to the right place!
Below are some resources that will help you begin on the path towards success!

Want to play a game?

     Look HERE!

This is a great website that integrates technology and English education. Depending on your level, it has several tabs that you can click on to test your understanding of different vocabulary words, such as clothing, animals, and various verbs. This is a site that will test you on regularly used vocabulary words, which will help you both in the classroom and in everyday life. 

How about a different game?

     Look HERE!

This website is FULL of various games and activities that you can complete to grow in your English language knowledge. There are science, math, and English games, most of which seem to be aimed at more of a younger age group (elementary to junior high), but can find games for older ages as well (my favorite was the Spiderman game). This is a great source that makes learning English fun. 

Are you a fan of soccer?

     Look HERE!

This is a website all about “football”, or soccer as many call it in the United States. On this site, you can explore various podcasts, worksheets, and terminologies associated with soccer. There are also lots of forums that you can use to interact with others around the world, discussing your love of the game or results of different soccer teams around the world. 

Want to work on your vocabulary?

       Look HERE!

This is a website that will create a learner profile for you- helping you develop your vocabulary. Each user is asked various questions regarding the meaning and definitions of words, with the questions increasing in difficulty with each correct answer. The website then predicts words that the user will not know, testing the user on these words and circling back to retest users on incorrect answers. Definitions are quickly provided of each word with a click, allowing you to grow in all areas of vocabulary. 

Confused about the pronunciation of a word?

        Look HERE!

On this site, you can search various words, hearing multiple examples of how the word is pronounced (many words have male and female pronunciations). You can search the entire website through the search bar, or can look through related words through the category tab.  This is a great source for ELLs because it allows you to learn pronunciation of words on your own terms, with the easy accessibility allowing for quick information. 

Teachers of ELLs...

Being a teacher of ELLs can sometimes be difficult, but definitely rewarding.Here are some links that may be useful in promoting success in all ELL students!

Looking for a book to read?
       Look HERE!

This is a great source for teachers who want more information on how to best reach their ELL students. The author provides a list of books he has found to be helpful, as well as books that others have recommended to him. This is a great source to encourage professional development, promoting reading books that provide additional information as to how to best reach all students.


Learn best from others?
       Look HERE!

Blogs can sometimes be tricky and confusing to navigate, but this source offers links, resources, and tools that ELL teachers can use to gather information to improve their teaching skills. By just scrolling down the page, several different articles can be found regarding a wide variety of issues that may come up while teaching ELL students. The site also offers an English translator, a great asset for teachers who are not fluent in the other languages of their students.


What are the best teaching practices for ELLs?
        Look HERE!

This website is FULL of information for teachers who have ELL students. Not only does it provide numerous instruction ideas to best reach ELL students, it also provides information about the many strategies schools and teachers have tried to reach ELL students- even if they aren't considered the “best practices”. This is a great source for teachers who are looking for concrete ways in which to improve their instruction to best help ELLs succeed. With a focus on speaking, reading, and writing, teachers can grow in their knowledge and also in their instructional techniques. 

Need an example lesson plan?

         Look HERE!

This source combines English language instruction with Social Studies. It provides several different lesson plan ideas that can be altered to use at any grade level. A great thing about this source is in the lesson plans, it includes the visuals- charts and tables- that are used to enhance learning. It also has a great list of resources listed at the end of all the lesson plans. It offers great ideas on how to incorporate language development into content area, and also provides informative descriptions of how to instruct ELLs. 

Looking to motivate ELLs?

        Look HERE!

This source contains many YouTube videos- songs, video games, clips- with questions asked under them. Users are able to watch and engage with the videos, and then are asked to complete certain tasks regarding what was just watched, turning in their answers as set up through Google. Students can be assigned one task per week, having the freedom to choose which task they would like to do (as the tasks are not in chronological order). By doing this, students will be able to choose a task that is interesting to them and will use their interest to encourage learning.