Tips for Working with English Language Learners By: Mark Paskert & Myra Talley

Who can guess?…...There are about __________ ESL students in Columbus City Schools A. 1,000 B. 2,500 C. 5,000 D. 8,000 E. 9,200

Answer: 5,000

ESL students make up ___% of CCS

Answer: 12.2% Answer: 12.2%

About 1,800 students speak SPANISH and about 1,500 speak _______________

Answer: Somali Answer: Somali

Recently Refugees have been coming in large numbers from this Asian country N________

Answer: Nepal

What is the ethnic makeup of CCS students? Approximately 100 countries and languages are represented in CCS Approximately 100 countries and languages are represented in CCS Most students are from Mexico, Somalia, West Africa Most students are from Mexico, Somalia, West Africa Our newest groups are from Nepal, Iraq, Burundi and Myanmar Our newest groups are from Nepal, Iraq, Burundi and Myanmar

What is the other name for Myanmar?

Answer: Burma Answer: Burma

Most are Refugees What is a like to be a refugee? What is a like to be a refugee?

How would you feel? Confused? Confused? Anxious? Anxious? Lost? Lost? Scared? Scared? Lonely? Lonely? Sad? Sad?

Now imagine that... … you have never been through a cafeteria line …the food in the cafeteria doesn’t look familiar and you’re not sure what it is (hotdogs) …the room is loud with people speaking a language you do not understand …you have never used a fork and knife

Understanding Our English Language Learners 4 Domains of Language Listening Listening Speaking Speaking Reading Reading Writing Writing

ESL students range in abilities from beginner readers to proficient readers ESL students range in abilities from beginner readers to proficient readers Try to get an idea of their Reading Level Try to get an idea of their Reading Level

Reading/Writing strategies Echo Echo Choral Choral Partner Partner Predicting Predicting Summarizing Summarizing Picture walk Picture walk TTQA TTQA Pre-read questions Pre-read questions

When addressing ESL students… Focus on the Meaning

Making it Understandable Example 1 Don’t you think it would be a good idea if you use an inside voice at the library?

Example 2 If you need to use a reference book, they are located on the bottom of the second shelf outside the tutoring room

The ESL Yes/No Game Let’s Play!

Do you understand? Do you need help? Are you OK with your homework? Do you know how to use a dictionary?

Letter to teachers (ESL and homeroom teacher) Letter to teachers (ESL and homeroom teacher)

Helping without Helping- Too Much

Juggling your students Juggling your students Getting them started Getting them started

Use the dictionary for practice- OAA/OGT Use the dictionary for practice- OAA/OGT Multiplication Facts Multiplication Facts Spelling Practice Spelling Practice Use Vocabulary list from teacher Use Vocabulary list from teacher Use High Frequency Word List Use High Frequency Word List Read pattern text Read pattern text Using computer Using computer ODE for Practice test ODE for Practice test Starfall Starfall

The Do’s (Short List) Use visuals (Google Images) Use visuals (Google Images) Introduce vocabulary in context Introduce vocabulary in context Print Print Give written as well as oral directions Give written as well as oral directions Assign buddies Assign buddies Work from the concrete to the abstract Work from the concrete to the abstract Speak slowly and clearly Speak slowly and clearly Simplify directions and commands Simplify directions and commands Be patient Be patient Increase “wait time” Increase “wait time”

The Don'ts's (short list) Don’t over correct Don’t over correct Don’t focus on grammar errors Don’t focus on grammar errors Don’t focus on spelling (except for high freq.) Don’t focus on spelling (except for high freq.) Don’t use convoluted statements/directions Don’t use convoluted statements/directions Don’t use idioms Don’t use idioms Don’t speak too quickly Don’t speak too quickly Don’t assume ESL students are at the same Eng. level Don’t assume ESL students are at the same Eng. level