Teaching ELL Students

By: Gabby Jain

Learning Targets

At the end of this lesson, students will be able to...

Define who English Language Learners are.
Explain why it is important for teachers to know how to successfully teach English Language Learners.
Describe effective methods for teaching English Language Learners.

Joseph's story illustrates a few of the many ways in which English language learners face discrimination. In this lesson, you will learn who English language learners are, why it is important for teachers to know how to teach these students, and what some of the best methods for teaching ELL students are.

Who are English Language Learners?

English language learners, or ELL students, are individuals who grew up in an environment where English was not the primary language, impacting their fluency in English (Sheng et al., 2011). Additionally, ELL students could be defined as individuals who are non-U.S citizens (Sheng et al., 2011). Nearly five million students in the United States are English language learners, and this population is increasing daily (Kaplan, 2019).

Why is it Important for Teachers to Know how to Teach ELL Students?

There are a multitude of reasons why it is important for teachers to be knowledgeable on how to teach their ELL students. One prominent reason that Sheng states is that successfully teaching ELL students can minimize the risk of student drop-out among this demographic (Sheng et al., 2011). Unfortunately, the demographic of ELL students have a high dropout rate, due to a variety of factors, such as their English proficiency level, socioeconomic status, and adjusting to a new environment where the culture is different than that of their home country (Sheng et al., 2011). Another reason why it is vital for teachers to know how to teach ELL students is because they need to understand their students in order to help them. ELL students typically go through various stages when learning English, and if one is not aware of this process, then they may misinterpret their students’ understanding of English and instruct them in an incorrect manner (Rymeski, 2013).

What are Some of the Best Ways to Teach ELL students?

Thankfully, there has been an increase in the amount of research on how to teach ELL students, due to the fact this population of students is rapidly growing. Both Whitsett and Hubbard (Whitsett & Hubbard, 2009) and Kaplan (Kaplan, 2019) emphasize speaking slowly and giving students extra time to think before asking questions. Utilizing these methods allows students to translate the information, process what they have heard, think about the topic, and form their response. Another method for helping ELL students is including culture in their instruction (Rymeski, 2013). Making classroom content diverse makes it easier for students to be engaged with their work because it is something meaningful to them, and it also allows students to utilize their background knowledge of their culture/ home in a way that will increase their comprehension (Rymeski, 2013).

Reflection & Conclusion

Based on the information I have reviewed, I believe that teachers must be knowledgeable on how to effectively teach ELL students in order to increase their fluency in English and set them up for success. Becoming fluent in a language one is unfamiliar with is a challenging task, so students need teachers who are educated on how to help them. Taking the time to learn students’ backgrounds is important because it allows them to gain a better understanding of who their students are and what motivates them (Whitsett & Hubbard, 2009). Additionally, learning about students’ cultures helps both students and teachers understand cultural differences (Sheng et al., 2011). Lastly, incorporating teaching strategies specifically for ELL students, such as speaking slowly, giving them fill in the blank sentences, and allowing students to engage with the content in multiple ways can lead students to success (Kaplan, 2019).

Quiz time!

Which of the following is NOT a method that teachers should utilize to help ELL students learn?

a. Forbid students from speaking their native language in the classroom

b. Give students extra time to think before responding

c. Incorporate students' cultures in their instruction

d. Speak slowly when teaching

How can teachers make ELL students feel comfortable in their classroom?

a. Assume you already know everything important about their culture

b. Form relationships with students

c. Have them always work by themselves

d. Randomly call on them

Answers: A, B

References

Kaplan, E. (2019, April 12). 6 essential strategies for teaching English language learners. Edutopia. Retrieved September 14, 2021, from https://www.edutopia.org/article/6-essential-strategies-teaching-english-language-learners.

Rymeski, M. (2013, August 5). What all teachers should know about instruction for English language learners. Education Northwest. Retrieved September 28, 2021, from https://educationnorthwest.org/resource/what-teachers-should-know-about-instruction-english-language-learners.

Sheng, Z., Sheng, Y., & Anderson, C. (2011). Dropping out of school among ELL students: Implications to schools and teacher education. Clearing House, 84(3), 98–103. https://doi-org.proxy.lib.odu.edu/10.1080/00098655.2010.538755

Whitsett, G., & Hubbard, J. (2009, June). Supporting English Language Learners in the Elementary and Secondary Classrooms: How to Get Started. Retrieved September 28, 2021, from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ948676.pdf.

York-Barr, J., Ghere, G., & Sommerness, J. (2007). Collaborative teaching to increase ELL student learning: A three-year urban elementary case study. Journal of Education for Students Placed at Risk, 12(3), 301–335. https://doi-org.proxy.lib.odu.edu/10.1080/10824660701601290

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