Step 10: Strategies for ELL

English Language Learner Strategies (Bonnie Bishop, 2010)

General Instructional Strategies

• Daily, explicit and systematic curriculum instruction
• Flexible grouping
• Cooperative learning groups
• Questioning strategies appropriate to student's level of language acquisition
• Active participation and interactive learning experiences
• Differentiated instruction

Sheltered Instruction Strategies

• Simplifying the input (verbal or written instructions)
• Scaffolding information
• Total Physical Response (TPR)
• Connections to primary language and cultures
• Sufficient "think time"
• Sufficient practice and reinforcement activities
• Ongoing comprehension checks
• Use of contextual clues
• Frequent checks for understanding
• Learning that is student-centered and content-driven
• Visuals and graphic organizers
• Addressing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills throughout instruction