Planning for English Language Learners

Next semester I am likely to start my 6^th grade class on the creation story and the events that transpired in the Garden of Eden.

1.       Early Production:

The smartest strategy to use would be Vocabulary and Language Development. To create a start of a small vocabulary and terms for this class, I’d have the students choose ten words in their own language that they don’t quite understand and want to learn, and then they could look them up in a language app or in the dictionary. This would be a class long activity, then the next day, the students could compare and contrast the words that they chose, and we could play a Bingo game with aforementioned words. I’d describe the word or term, and they’d mark the square. The winner of the game would get to pick the next five words or terms and so on. This would also be fun for the English speakers as they learn a new language at the same time!

I also like the idea of putting a sticky note or an index card on everyone’s head with a historical figure’s name or an event or even a thing, and the students have to use their basic vocabulary to describe that person or thing. From the suggested vocabulary, the student will guess who or what is on their forehead. The person with the most cards or stick notes wins. (I've done this in Argentina. It was super fun, and we expanded it to the whole 12^th grade. Very chaotic, but they were into it!)

2.       Speech Emergence:

For this level of language learning, I’d use Guided Interaction, Metacognition and Authentic Assessment, and the Explicit Instruction. With the guided interaction and metacognition, I have had students do short videos on their iPads about the events that were happening in the stories we were reading, but they got to put their own modern twist on it. For example, the Garden of Eden, how Adam and Eve met got twisted into a clambake in Southampton, in the library at school, or even running into each other at a Starbucks. The kids got to choose their preference, and they got to speak and use their technology.

For explicit instruction, I’d have them write a short accompaniment to the video using their writing skills comprising of vocabulary, verbs, punctuation, and sentence structure. (The French student I have really liked this video activity and, he did fairly well with the written part. Only a few parts were jumbled.)

3.       Intermediate Fluency:

For this level of language learning, I would employ all the strategies listed above, as well as Meaning Based Context and Universal Themes. I’d have the students do a minimum five minute presentation on the 7 days of creation using poster board or their technological devices. They would have to work either with a partner or alone (the choice is theirs), and they would have to speak. Also I would expect a short 250-300 word summary of their presentation.

I also like the idea of them doing a filmed or live interview of either an animal in the Garden of Eden, Adam or Eve, or even God. It would be brief, close to 3-5 minutes, and again accompanied by a short summary. These activities will get them involved with their peers and let them speak to showcase their ever growing skills.

4.       Advanced Fluency:

For this level of language learning, the sky is the limit with strategies. I think that I would use all six: Vocabulary and Language Development, Guided Interaction, Metacognition and Authentic Assessment, Explicit Instruction, Meaning Based Context and Universal Themes, and Modeling, Graphic Organizers, and Visuals. I would give these level of ELL students the same level as English speakers in regards to work and assignments; however, if need be, I would be available for extra aid and with other available resources such as apps or online tutorials. I would also speak with their other teachers because while the ELL student may be very close to bilingual, he or she will still not know everything about the English language. It is imperative to exercise patience.

Works Cited:

Haynes, Judie. "Stages of Second Language Acquisition." Stages of Second Language Acquisition. EverythingESL, 2005. Web. 08 Apr. 2014. <http://www.everythingesl.net/inservices/language_stages.php>.

New Teacher Center at UC Santa Cruz. "Six Strategies for Teachers of English Language-Learners." Alliance for Excellent Education, Dec. 2005. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. <http://suu.edu/ed/fso/resources/esl-six-key-strategies.pdf>.