10 Effective Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners

Classrooms in the Middle East are highly diverse, students come from different cultures and not everyone has English as primary language. Educators must view themselves as language teachers to help English learners understand both content concepts and English simultaneously, all educators need to view themselves as language teachers.

Here are 10 tips for supporting ELs in general education classrooms:

1. Know the language of your content
English has a number of words. A student may understand one meaning but doesn’t know another meaning. These are called polysemous words. You should review the vocabulary of your content area often and check it with English Learners just to assure they know the words and possibly multiple meanings associated with those words.

2. Be aware of students needs
Your task as an educator doesn’t stop from the walls of the classroom. You need to understand each student’s family background and the current circumstances they’re in. When they have to take on jobs to support their families, you have to consider that homework assignments are not priority.

3. Know your students’ background
You should be more aware of who your students are – background and educational experience. They may be literate or not literate in their native language. Understanding this may provide you with a better understanding of their educational needs and ways to support them.

4. SWRL
There are four domains of language acquisition namely Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening. They need to be equally exercised across content areas. These should all be covered and thus is essential to their English language development.

5. First and Second Language Acquisition
Second language acquisition are not required as part of teacher education programs. However, understanding these theories about language acquisition and the factors that affect language learning will definitely help you reach English learners effectively.

6. English language proficiency
Social English Proficiency and academic English language proficiency are different terms. One student may be proficient in one vs. the other. The level of academic English may be based on a higher level of basic interpersonal communication skills (BICS). For example, a student may be able to orally recall the main events from their favorite movie but struggle to recall the main events that led up to the Civil War.

7. Language Assessments
Find out how they assess how student’s English language proficiency is assessed and what are the results of those assessments. It can provide a wealth of information that aid in planning lessons that support both language acquisition and content knowledge.

8. Visuals and manipulatives
Have a diverse range of authentic resources like menus, bus schedules, post cards, photos and video clips. It can help a student grasp content concepts.

9. Language proficiency strategies
Know the level of English language proficiency at which your students are functioning in order to identify strategies to be used. Not all strategies are appropriate and not all learners can grasp something easily. Knowing which scaffold are most appropriate will take time but will support language learning more effectively.

10. Collaborate
Seek support from other teachers who also teach English learners. They can support in building content concepts. These are all vital for student success.