Guide for ELL Specialists

English Language Learners (ELLs) are often viewed collectively as a single group, where all students are on the path of English language proficiency. However, this dismisses the cultural and linguistic variability amongst ELLs, which affect how they develop language, learn academic content, and experience school (Rao and Torres). English Language Learners, like all other students, also differ from each other in their personal attributes and personalities. All of these factors combined highlight how different each ELL student can be, and thus have different language learning needs. However, regardless of this variability, ELLs must be viewed from an asset-based perspective, where their multilingualism is seen as a strength, rather than from a deficit-based perspective. Having a positive view of multilingualism also emphasizes translanguaging, where students use multiple languages to integrate and express their learning. Translanguaging honors the “richness, complexity, and fullness of students’ linguistic repertoires” (Cioe-Pena and Snell), and creates a learning environment where students are empowered because the learning is relevant and reflective of their own life experiences. Students’ home languages are seen as meaningful resources for learning English, rather than a barrier.

There needs to be a shift in perspective and for all staff to view ELLs as fully competent learners who are able to access content area learning and demonstrate knowledge and understanding. It is the systemic structures that place barriers to students’ learning, and not their lack of English proficiency. ELL Specialists can help lead the change, but it requires the efforts and commitment of all school staff for the change to be sustained.
 

This website will highlight theoretical and practical strategies for effective ELL instruction. The aim is to be source of information and guidance for ELL Specialists, as well as classroom teachers interested in discovering ways to best support English Language Learners in their classrooms.

Information you will find throughout this website include:

• The Role of the ELL Specialist

• Co-Teaching

• Equity

• Assessment

• Instructional Practices

  • Translanguaging

  • Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

  • Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)

  • Explicit Instruction

  • Reading Instruction

  • Writing Instruction

• Additional Resources