Resources for Content-Area Teachers * Assessment: Ideas and techniques for testing ELLs. * Content-Areas:
Resources for instructing ELLs in content-area courses. Information on identifying and serving ELLs with special needs.
Terms and concepts commonly used in ESL.
* General Information: Issues in and best practices for instructing ELLs. * Newcomers: Resources on understanding and instructing newcomers Assessment: Theory:
Testing Students with Limited English Proficiency – A site containing FAQs and information about testing ELLs (North Carolina Department of Public Instruction).
English Language Learners and High-Stakes Tests: An overview of the issues – An ERIC Digest introducing issues related to ELLs and high-stakes tests (Center for Applied Linguistics).
LEP Students and High-Stakes Assessment – An extensive report on the issues related to involving ELLs in high-stakes testing, including a case study of North Carolina (National Clearinghouse for Bilingual Education).
Assessment Portfolios: Including English Language Learners in Large-Scale Assessments – An ERIC Digest discussing the use of assessment portfolios with ELLs (Center for Applied Linguistics).
Practice:
Organizing and Assessing in the Content-Area Class – Ideas on assessment for content-area teachers (Everything ESL).
How to Develop Questioning Strategies – Strategies for effectively questioning ELLs at all levels (Everything ESL).
Practical Ideas on Alternative Assessment for ESL Students – An ERIC Digest on alternative assessment techniques (Center for Applied Linguistics).
Content-Areas: Preparing Secondary Education Teachers to Work with English Language Learners: English language arts – An article on how to make English language arts accessible to ELLs (National Clearinghouse for Bilingual Education).
Implementing Reading First with English Language Learners– An article on how to effectively teach reading to ELLs (National Clearinghouse of English Language Acquisition).
Thematic Literature and Curriculum for English Language Learners in Early Childhood Education – An ERIC Digest with reading strategies for ELLs and suggestions for incorporating literature into the classroom (Center for Applied Linguistics).
Dialogue Journals: Interactive writing to develop language and literacy – An ERIC Digest detailing ways to use dialogue journals with ELLs (Center for Applied Linguistics).
Language Arts: Practice
ABC Tracer Sheets – Worksheets for teaching native and non-native English speakers the alphabet (Boggle’s World).
ABC Flashcards – Printable flashcards for teaching the alphabet to native and non-native English speakers (Boggle’s World).
Alphabet Mazes – Printable mazes that reinforce the correct sequencing of the alphabet and capital and lowercase letters (Boggle’s World).
Men with Hats Riddle – A lesson plan and worksheets using riddles to teach the language of logic (Boggle’s World).
Let’s Argue – A series of lesson plans and worksheets on teaching argumentative writing to ELLs (Boggle’s World).
Teaching the Crocodile’s View – Poetry and creative writing activities for young ELLs (Boggle’s World).
Preparing Secondary Education Teachers to Work with English Language Learners: Mathematics – An article on how to make mathematics accessible to ELLs (National Clearinghouse for Bilingual Education).
Reforming Mathematics Instruction for ESL Literacy Students – An ERIC Digest exploring ways to effectively deliver mathematics instruction to ELLs with limited schooling (Center for Applied Linguistics).
ESL Math and Science for High School Students: Two case studies – A research report about a project on language learning strategies in math and science classes (National Clearinghouse on Bilingual Education).
Math: Practice
Monster Math: How many are left? – A math activity for ELLs using monster characters in word problems (Boggle’s World).
Potions and Maximums – A math activity for ELLs featuring Harry Potter (Boggle’s World).
When I Was in St. Ives – A math activity for ELLs based on the riddle, “As I Was on My Way to St. Ives” (Boggle’s World).
Preparing Secondary Education Teachers to Work with English Language Learners: Science – An article on how to make science accessible to ELLs (National Clearinghouse for Bilingual Education).
Teaching Science to Language Minority Students in Elementary Classrooms – An article on teaching strategies for instructing science to ELLs (NYSABE Journal).
Teaching Science to English Learners (Grades 4-8) – An article on teaching science and the language of science to young ELLs (National Clearinghouse on Bilingual Education).
ESL Math and Science for High School Students: Two case studies – A research report about a project on language learning strategies in math and science classes (National Clearinghouse on Bilingual Education).
Science: Practice
ESL Science Center – An archive of science lesson plans designed for ELLs (Boggle’s World).
Animal Body Parts Flashcards – Printable flashcards for native and non-native English speakers that divide animals into groups by distinctive body parts, such as antlers, claws, wings and shells (Boggle’s World).
Animal Body Parts Worksheets – A lesson plan and worksheets to accompany the Animal Body Parts flashcards (Boggle’s World).
Animal Behaviour Flashcards – Printable flashcards for native and non-native English speakers that divide animals into groups by distinctive behavior patterns, such as solitary, domesticated and nocturnal (Boggle’s World).
Solar System Name Tags – A lesson plan that introduces elementary ELLs to the solar system (Boggle’s World).
Scientist Flashcards – Printable flashcards for native and non-native English speakers that depict professions in different branches of science and accompanying worksheets (Boggle’ World).
Preparing Secondary Education Teachers to Work with English Language Learners: Social studies – An article on how to make social studies accessible to ELLs (National Clearinghouse for Bilingual Education).
Integrating Language and Culture in Middle School American History Classes – A research report on teaching middle school American history to ELLs (National Center for Research on Cultural Diversity and Second Language Learning).
Social Studies: Practice
Cultural Corner – A list of resources for teaching the history and culture of various Asian, African, European and North and South American countries (Project MORE).
Classroom Rules: Students at the helm! – A lesson plan and worksheets for an activity on classroom rules and fairness (Boggle’s World).
Geography Sites for Children – A list of links appropriate for K-12 native and non-native English speakers (ESL Magazine Online).
The Family – A thematic unit (including lesson plans) on the family (Washington State University).
Exceptional Children and ESL: Learning Disability or Language Development Issue? – An introduction to understanding the differences between EC and ESL (Everything ESL).
English Language Learners with Special Needs: Effective instructional strategies – An ERIC digest detailing ways to work with EC ELLs (Center for Applied Linguistics).
Special Education for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students – A comprehensive online book (in .pdf form) and PowerPoint presentation devoted to identifying and serving the needs of EC ELLs (Colorado Department of Education).
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Exceptional Students: Refocusing the lens – An article on identifying and addressing the special needs of ELLs (ESL Magazine Online).
Exceptional Children and TEACHING Exceptional Children – Two online journals devoted to research on exceptional children and continued professional development for those who work with exceptional children (The Council of Exceptional Children).
Northwest Regional Laboratory: Child and Family – A comprehensive list of general resources on inclusion of EC students (Early Childhood Education e-Newsletter, Vol. 2 No. 3, June 2002).
ESL Basics: Myths and Misconceptions about Second Language Learning: What every teacher needs to unlearn – An article dispelling some common myths about learning a second language (National Center for Research on Cultural Diversity and Second Language Learning).
Content-Centered Language Learning – An ERIC Digest discussing the basics of content-area instruction for ELLs (Center for Applied Linguistics).
Understanding Second Language Terminology – A primer on important terms and concepts in ESL (Everything ESL).
ESL Glossary – A comprehensive glossary of ESL terms (Boggle’s World).
Explaining BICS and CALP – A summary of the differences between social language and academic language (Everything ESL).
Four Stages of Second Language Acquisition – A basic overview of the stages students go through in developing competency in a second language, with suggested classroom applications for each stage (Everything ESL).
Contextual Factors in Second Language Acquisition – An ERIC Digest focusing on three main factors contributing to language development (Center for Applied Linguistics).
What is Linguistics? – An ERIC Digest introducing the field of linguistics (Center for Applied Linguistics).
What Elementary Teachers Need to Know about Language – An ERIC Digest containing frequently asked questions about language development in young children, including ELLs (Center for Applied Linguistics).
What Early Childhood Educators Need to Know about Language – An ERIC Digest exploring the role that early childhood educators play in their students’ language development (Center for Applied Linguistics).
General Information: Theory:
Lessons from Research: What is the length of time it takes limited English proficient students to acquire English and succeed in an all-English classroom? – An extensive report on how long it takes ELLs to learn English (National Clearinghouse on English Language Acquisition).
Working with Young English Language Learners: Some considerations – An ERIC Digest detailing characteristics of young ELLs and tips for instructing them (Center for Applied Linguistics).
Teaching Language Minority Students in Elementary Schools – An article on understanding the needs of elementary ELLs and planning lessons for and delivering instruction to them (Center for Research on Education, Diversity and Excellence).
From At-Risk to Excellence: Principles for practice – An ERIC Digest on helping at-risk students, including ELLs, to achieve academically (Center for Applied Linguistics).
Funds of Knowledge: Learning from language-minority households – An ERIC Digest on tapping the backgrounds of ELLs (Center for Applied Linguistics).
Language Minority Students in School Reform: The role of collaboration – An ERIC Digest on how best to serve ELLs in public schools (Center for Applied Linguistics).
Promoting Secondary School Transitions for Immigrant Adolescents – An ERIC Digest on ways to help secondary-school ELLs to adjust to the classroom (Center for Applied Linguistics).
Strategies for Success: Engaging immigrant students in secondary schools – An ERIC Digest on effective instruction for secondary-school ELLs (Center for Applied Linguistics).
Serving Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Students: Strategies for the school librarian – An ERIC Digest on tips for librarians who work with ELLs (Center for Applied Linguistics).
Collaborate and Cooperate: Teacher education for integrating language and content instruction – A research article focusing on strategies for content-area teachers of ELLs (Forum).
Selected References about Research and Practice of Integrating Language and Content Instruction – A bibliography on content-area ELL instruction (Center for Applied Linguistics).
Practice:
Meeting the Challenge of Content-Area Instruction – Techniques for helping content-area teachers to work with ELLs of all levels (Everything ESL).
ESL/Bilingual Resource Guide for Mainstream Teachers – Tips for working with ELLs of all levels, along with suggested activities (Portland Public School District, Oregon).
In the Classroom: A toolkit for effective instruction of English learners – A comprehensive resource of research and practical applications for working with ELLs of all levels in content-classes (National Clearinghouse of English Language Acquisition, U.S. Department of Education).
Graphic Organizers for Content Instruction – A description of useful graphic organizers for content-area course and links to download free copies of each one (Everything ESL).
Teach to Students Learning Styles – An overview of techniques for adapting instruction for different learning styles of ELLs (Everything ESL).
Strategy Training for Second Language Learners – An ERIC Digest on understanding language learning strategies and implementing them in the classroom (Center for Applied Linguistics).
Tips on Communicating – Strategies for communicating with ELLs of all levels (Everything ESL).
Study Skills for ELLs – An introduction to promoting study skills in content-area classes (Everything ESL).
Cultural Corner – A list of resources for understanding the native cultures of students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (Project MORE).
Newcomers: Theory:
Secondary Newcomer Programs: Helping recent immigrants prepare for school success – An ERIC Digest covering the basics about who newcomers are and what they face (Center for Applied Linguistics).
Practice:
Organizing Your Newcomers’ Day – Ways to structure the classroom and class time for newcomers (Everything ESL).
Activities for Newcomers – Suggestions for activities that teachers can easily use with newcomers (Everything ESL).
Newcomers in the Community – A lesson plan designed for elementary newcomer students (Everything ESL).
Creating an Atmosphere of Acceptance – Suggestions for making newcomers feel welcome in the classroom (Everything ESL).
Sensitize Your Mainstream Students – Techniques for helping non-ESL students understand their newcomer classmates (Everything ESL).
Help Your Newcomers Develop Pride in Their Heritage – Ideas for using newcomers’ backgrounds and knowledge in the classroom (Everything ESL).
Pair Your Newcomers with Buddies – Practical tips for using classroom buddies with newcomers (Everything ESL).
How Does Your School Rate? – A set of guidelines for making schools more welcoming for newcomers (Everything ESL).
Cultural Corner – A list of resources for understanding the native cultures of students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (Project MORE).