ELLs

Accurate Information.  Check that ELLs and their families have access to accurate information about Covid-19.  This may be an especially scary time if families are separated around the globe because of lockdowns and limited flights.  Some families may not be able to access accurate  Canadian information if they don't speak English.  

• Settlement.org - Welcome to Ontario - Translated Information Sheets by the Ministry of Health About Covid-19

• World Health Organization - Translated video About Covid-19

• Beware of Covid-19 Scams

Maslow over Bloom.  The financial, emotional and security needs of the student and their family must be considered before students can engage in distance education learning.  At this time, many ELLs will have family in other parts of the world that may currently in conflict situations (wars haven't stopped), unstable and insecure housing such as refugee camps or urban refugees, and limited access to food and health care.   Some families may be 'stuck' in Canada and unable to return to their countries of origin.             Secondary students sometimes contribute to the family income and may still be working or may have recently lost their job.  Refer families to local food banks or other sources of community or government supports if needed.

Adaptations to Learning.  An ELL's STEP level will indicate their ability to access distance education opportunities.  Adaptations to learning content, process and products may be required.  The following pages suggest tools that teachers and ELLs can use to make connections, build relationships online and access distance education learning opportunities.

• OLB STEP Continua ➤         👉primary           👉🏽junior                 👉🏽intermediate                 👉🏽 secondary 

Technology.  Some students may be using their phones to access learning.  Ensure that learning is simple and routine  to easy to access or download.  Some students may not have access to internet at home.  Offer other tasks (such as reading or writing in their home language) to access learning from home.  

• Students can use their iphone  to scan documents

• Use x-box of Playstation to access Google Classroom

• 8 weeks tech-free - Translated learning tasks from k-12

Use Home Languages.  Encourage ELLs to use their home language to access learning and create products or share their learning.  The following pages offer many ideas for how ELLs can use technology and their home language to access distance education learning opportunities.