ELL Resources for Teachers
Vocabulary, Reading, Listening, and Instructional Strategies
Resources for both implicit and explicit instruction:
I have students occasionally practice vocabulary terms using Quizlet. It is an interactive site where they create online flashcards. They can also create their own quizzes and games using those same terms. Quizlet employs audio technologies, for example, which enable students to record their own voice on Quizlet or hear native-speaker-quality text-to-speech audio in 18 different languages, as well. With free accounts, my students can create their own study sets, track their study progress, and compete with friends. This is a great tool to aid with explicit vocabulary instruction!
From the site:
"Quizlet today is a worldwide educational utility, with tools enabling anyone to study whatever they want. Our users define what they need to learn (or teach), and how they want to do it. We help art history majors study paintings, Spanish students learn their verbs, and seventh graders learn biology. To date, our users have created almost 40 million study sets, spanning every imaginable subject. We build the study tools, and they provide the curriculum.
Our tools improve significantly on their paper predecessors (flashcards, matching games, multiple choice tests, worksheets etc), much as Google Maps improved on the basic paper map. We help students with things like memorization and recall of key concepts, and basic practice in everything from vocabulary to math to language learning."
Newsela is quite useful because it makes it easy for an entire class to read the same content, but at a level that’s just right for each student. Every article is current and relevant and written at five different reading levels, including the original article that was posted on the New York Times, Washington Post, or other major news service. This would allow me to differentiate the articles based on my students’ reading levels. For example, if one of my students is starting to expand their reading level, I would offer more challenging texts that are within their zone of proximal development. Rather than relying solely on straightforward informational texts, I would have the students begin to work with various texts with different viewpoints on the same topic. This would require the students to compare/contrast the authors' viewpoints, which is a marker at level 4. Students who are not at a marker level 4 could use articles at easier reading levels, or be paired with students who can assist.
From the site:
"Read closely. Think critically. Be worldly. Newsela is an innovative way to build reading comprehension with nonfiction that's always relevant: daily news. It's easy and amazing. See the impact Newsela can have on your classroom."
This site allows ELL students (or teachers of ELLs) to simply text from a reading, test/quiz, or just about anything by copy and pasting the text into the site. I recommend it for adapting and modifying resources you already have.
Statement from the site:
"Rewordify.com helps people read more, understand difficult English faster, and learn words in new ways. Teachers use it to save time and increase learning from any English text. ust paste in a difficult English sentence, paragraph, or more (or enter a web page URL) and click the button. You'll instantly see an easier version, for fast understanding now. No dictionary needed! Plus, the easier version is specially highlighted to help build vocabulary."
This site offers lessons and teaching plans to help you integrate English language development with science and social studies lessons. As an English teacher, I find it relatively easier to incorporate activities for ELL students. However, I understand that it may be more challenging in other content areas! This site has great resources for science and social studies. It also includes the SIOP model.
From the site:
"On ELDStrategies.com, you will find a variety of research-based practices and resources in one central location in order to meet the unique instructional needs of English language learners (ELLs). Whether you are a new or experienced teacher of English language learners (ELLs), or are generally interested in second language acquisition, you will find a wealth of information related to the following topics: English language development (ELD), ESL activities, ESL lesson plans, sheltered instruction, ESL strategies, recommended books and products for teaching ESL, and many other important topics!"
Scholastic: ESL Resources, Ideas, & Activities
Using the search feature of the site, the custom results list includes a plethora of materials for use with ESL students. With articles such as "Welcoming the New ESL Student" and "Teaching ELL: Classroom Setup Strategies" to lesson plans such as "Writing an Autobiography," "Graphic Novels with Children and Teens," and "Earth Day Activities," this site offers strategies for ESL teachers of grades K-12.
While Scholastic materials often require a paid subscription, the above link directs you to a database of free materials, including video lessons and ideas.
From the site:
Scholastic produces educational materials to assist and inspire students:
-
To cultivate their minds to utmost capacity
-
To become familiar with our cultural heritage
-
To strive for excellence in creative expression in all fields of learning, literature, and art
-
To seek effective ways to live a satisfying life
-
To enlarge students' concern for and understanding of today's world
-
To help build a society free of prejudice and hate, and dedicated to the highest quality of life in community and nation
We strive to present the clearest explanation of current affairs and contemporary thought, and to encourage literary appreciation and expression consistent with the understanding and interests of young people at all levels of learning.