1. English Language Learners
By Lidia Sedano

2. (ELL Assessed annually to determine their proficiency level )
Levels of English Language Learners
Level 1: Beginning/Pre-production
Level 2: Beginning Production
Level 3: Intermediate
Level 4: Advanced Intermediate
Level 5: Advanced
Level 6: Fully English proficient
Level 7: Fully English proficient-
Never Limited-English Proficient
(ELL Assessed annually to determine their proficiency level )
Level 1: Beginning/Preproduction –does not understand or speak English
Level 2: Beginning Production-Understands and speaks conversational English-with difficulty
Level 3: Intermediate- Understands and speaks with decreasing difficulty
Level 4: Advanced Intermediate-understands and speaks without apparent difficulty
Level 5: Advanced- Near proficient level
Level 6: Fully English proficient-formerly LEP

3. Stages of Second Language Acquisition
Pre-production
Early Production
Speech Emergence
Intermediate Fluency
Pre-production-Silent period –ELL may have up to 500 words in their receptive voc. But are not able speak
Early Production=voc words. Speak one-two word phrases
Speech Emergence – voc. 3,000 words communicate with simple phrases and sentences
Intermediate Fluency-voc. 6,000 words use more complex sentences when speaking and writing

4. ESL Terminology ESL: English as a Second Language
ELL: English Language Learner
Alternative Assessment: Any test that is altered in any way for an English Language Learner
BICS: Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills, or social/conversational English
CALPS: Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency, or academic English
L1: First language or native language
L2: Second language
LEP: limited English Proficient

5. Ideas to Help ELL Students in the Classroom
Use the ESL staff as a resource. As a team you can help the ELL student with their learning needs.
It is not necessary to talk louder, but it sometimes helps to speak slower.
Incorporate the culture and language of the ELL students, both they and the other students will benefit.
Be aware of cultural differences.
Use gestures and visual aids when you teach.
Use graphic organizers and Venn diagrams.
Locate yourself close to the ELL student when teaching.
Be concise with the information you give to the ELL student to avoid “information overload”.

6. Ideas to Help ELL Students in the Classroom
Check for comprehension. ESL students may be able to decode words but not understand what they have read.
Use bilingual labels when possible.
Phonemic awareness may be challenging for ESL students who have not acquired the English sound system.
Integrate reading, writing, speaking and listening in real life contexts.
Make a sheet of important vocabulary related to what you are teaching.
Label important content words in your classroom.
Pair ELL students with a mentor who will help them,
Speak conversationally to the student as much as possible.

7. Resources
Diaz-Rico, L. (2004) Strategies for Teaching English Learners. New York: Pearson Education Inc.
Stages of Second Language Acquisition
Language Translators
Google site-limited translations-includes Spanish
ESL Lesson Plans and Activities
Office of English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement for Limited English Proficient Students (OELA)