Suggestions for Teachers

Some strategies to make your newcomer feel welcome:

--assign a classroom buddy

--seat student where he/she can hear and see all activities

--teach survivial phrases such as 'helllo', 'goodbye', 'good morning', 'where is..', 'I don't understand', 'may I'

--assign classroom jobs such as running errands with a partner, classroom helper, etc.

--have bilingual and picture dictionaries on hand

--ensure that school/classroom routines and key school locations are known

--create a classroom environment that reflects the cultural diverity of all students

Effective Teaching Strategies

--ensure that all lessons/activities include a component for activating prior knowledge and reviewing key concepts.

--make lessons/activities as clear as possible by chunking information and using visuals, concrete materials, gestures, and repetition.

--model all activities for students.

--have students review main concepts and vocabulary with partners (e.g., think/pair/share) and in whole-group sessions at the end of each lesson or activity.

--use simple sentences and speak slowly.

--visuals, visuals, visuals: Use key visuals and graphic organizers (e.g.,webs on chart paper) as teaching and learning tools.

Help is available!:

--simply contact your ESL teacher for more strategies to help support your ELL