ESOL Teacher Resources

Useful tools for teachers of diverse students

Maureen, JT, & Brandy

Multicultural Methods and Materials

Five books that teachers of ELL students can utilize in the classroom

No English

By: Jacqueline Jules

Illustrated by: Amy Huntington Age Level: 6-9 Reading Level: Beginning Reader ISBN-13: 978-1587264740 Publisher: Mitten Press (August 1, 2007) Theme: Cross Cultural Friendship No English is all that Blanca, the new girl from Argentina, says. She spends her time drawing pictures instead of doing class work and that hardly seems fair to second-grader Diane. One misunderstanding follows another until Diane begins to see how afraid Blanca must feel in their classroom. Their teacher, Mrs. Bertram, helps her class understand that different is just different, not strange or weird. She encourages them to learn about Blancas home country. Diane must make things right, but how will she do that when they dont speak the same language? This book would work ideally in classroom to show students how the ELL student in the classroom may feel. It could help bridge the communication gap for these students. It also comes with a teachers guide with activities to do with the class. http://www.jacquelinejules.com/NoEnglishTeachersGuide.pdf

A Days Work

By: Eve Bunting Illustrated by: Ronald Himler

ISBN-10: 0780785029
Publisher: Perfection Learning; First Printing edition (January 1, 1994) Age Level: 6-9 Reading Level: Independent Reader

Theme: Character and Values / Culture and Diversity

When Francisco's grandfather arrives from Mexico speaking no English and in search of a job, Francisco becomes his translator. In his desire to help Abuelo find work quickly, Francisco lies about what his grandfather knows how to do, creating trouble for both of them. In the end, Francisco learns an important lesson in this poignant story about immigrant families and day laborers. This book would work well in a classroom in an area that has a lot of migrant workers. It highlights struggles that many immigrant families may have to help develop awareness. Some students may be able to relate to this.

When Sun Ruled the Land

Published (1996) By: Janet Palazzo-Craig Illustrator: Dave Albers ISBN - 10: 081674002X

Age Level: 6-9 Reading Level: Independent Reader

Theme: Mythology and Culture and Diversity This was an interesting fable from Cuba. It is a myth about the first solar eclipse as well as the explanation for other natural phenomena such as dew and the day/night cycle. The illustrations in this book are very vivid and highly stylized representations of mythic characters representing the earth, the sun, the wind, the moon and many others. Overall, I believe this was an enjoyable book and casts a bit of light on mythology that we dont often get to experience, that of the Caribbean islanders. This book grants students an interesting view on an earth/space science subject, the solar eclipse. It also presents a creation myth from the Caribbean culture, something not often taught. This story can be used in multiple subject areas; social studies or science, and can also be used to compare and contrast creation myths from other cultures. This allows this book to also be used for language arts lessons and focus projects on myths, legends, and tall tales.

Talk, Talk: An Ashanti Legend

By: Deborah M. Newton Chocolate Illustrator: Dave Albers Copyright: 1993 Grade: 1-3 Theme: Cultural Diversity / Mythology This story is a fantastic example of Animism. All of the objects, plants, and animals in this story are alive, and can talk. They all have a spirit of sorts and can communicate with people. The story tells about four men who experience this for the first time, first a farmer, then a fisherman, then a bather in a river, then a textile weaver. All four rush to the chieftain of their village who summarily dismisses all of them. The chief, in turn talks with his throne, expressing that the chief, wise as he is, already understands that all things have spirits within them. This book would be great for ELL students from the Caribbean, Haiti, or from Africa. The book reads well, but can be a bit repetitive as each new person hears the same story as the one before him repeated four times. This is the general layout of this sort of folk tale, however, and its good to see that the original style has been maintained in this retelling. Additionally, this aspect of the story is great for ELLs, as it provides repetitive examples of sentences that the student can practice over and over. The highly stylized illustrations really help to reinforce the cultural roots of the story and give the book a unique look. This book would work very well in any lesson about diverse religious views. The concept of Animism is highly representative in cultures throughout the world, and was likely one of the first religious practices performed by prehistoric man.

A Nest in Springtime: A Mandarin ChineseEnglish bilingual book of numbers Board book

by Belle Yang Publisher Candlewick; Brdbk Blg edition ISBN-10: 0763652792 Theme: Bilingual Education and Folk Tales In English and Mandarin Chinese, Belle Yang's bilingual board books celebrate the natural world with simple concepts and beautiful, bold illustrations. In springtime, when wild geese come to nest, there are eggs for counting. But how many goslings will there be? And how many in the whole paddling family, when Papa and Mama join them? Tonal marks used in the book are explained in a final spread, along with a pinyin translation of the Chinese characters.

ELL Teacher Strategies

Helpful Articles and guides that focus on ELL teaching strategies

ELL Teaching Strategies

Celic, C. (2009). English language learners: Day by day k-6.

Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann ISBN-13: 978-0325026824 This article is about how to set up the classroom to effectively teach the ELL students. It walks through to set up centers for Math, Social Studies, Reading, and Science. It states that using visual cues on the walls along with pictures is beneficial to the student. For reading it says to have a variety of different books, in different content areas, as well as reading levels. It also states to include bilingual books when available. For Math centers it states to use an interactive math wall so students can manipulate words. This book is an effective resource that would benefit teachers from the beginning to help set up a classroom that will fully engage ELL students and Non-ELL students alike.

ESOL Strategies for Teaching Content

Reiss, J. (2004) ESOL Strategies for Teaching Content Pearson Publication ISBN-10: 0131708546 This book is designed for teachers of math, science, and social studies in grades 3 through 12 who seek ways to reach and teach the English language learners in their classrooms. It is filled with detailed advice, suggestions, and guidelines of a very practical and applied nature, for teachers who would like to learn what they need to know and do.

Fifty Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners

Herrell, A. & Jordan, M. (2011) Fifty Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners Pearson Publication Date: February 5, 2011 ISBN-10: 0132487500 Fifty Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners, by Adrienne Herrell and Michael Jordan, includes a rich assortment of practical strategies aligned to TESOL standards which have been fieldtested in diverse classrooms. Each strategy includes a brief explanation, step-by-step instructions on how to plan and use the strategy

Technology Based Teaching Strategies

Grounded Technology Integration: ESOL Teaching Strategies Van Olphen, M., Hofer, M. & Harris, J. (2012, December). Grounded technology integration: ESOL teaching strategies. Learning & Leading with Technology, This article lists electronic strategies to help make ELL students successful. It specifically names strategies for science, but also for communication and responses. All of the strategies are technology based which will help promote the ELL students academic development. The article did state that the strategies could be used and adapted for other content areas. It also lists what proficiency levels the strategy would work for. The article suggests using graphic organizers or other concept mapping software. It also suggests allowing students to do digital projects and presentations. The article is effective with some of the strategies it lists, but some of them would require a further breakdown of information for the ELL student to understand it.

Pronunciation Strategies of Advanced ESOL Learners

Osburne, A. G. (2003). Pronunciation strategies of advanced ESOL learners. IRAL: International Review Of Applied Linguistics In Language Teaching, 41(2), 131-143 ANDREA G. OSBURNE

International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching

This research was developed to help adult ELLs; the validity of the strategies, however, remains constant. In this strategy, the teacher transcribes a sentence that the student then speaks aloud. At a later point the teacher reads the sentence back to the student. The student corrects any mistakes that they hear, and then if able, writes the sentence with correct punctuation.

ELL Strategies (Bullet Points)

Use visual cues Include bilingual books when available Use an interactive math wall so students can manipulate words Use graphic organizers or other concept mapping software Use predictable routines and signals Use visual scaffolding Consider Multiple Intelligences

Use story reenactment Intergraded curriculum projects Partner reading Sorting activities Help to acquire self-help skills Vocabulary Role-play

Small group and cooperative learning

Use of SIOP model Use multiple types of manipulatives

ELL/ESL Websites
Website Resources for Students and Teachers

ELL/ESE Websites (Games)

Fun Brain http://www.funbrain.com/ This computer site allows students to practice a variety of academic skills. Fun Brain includes read alone and read along books, math practice and games, reading games as well as many other child friendly activities. Fun Brain has received the Safe Kid certification. The site was developed by Pearson Education. Although the site is in English it has creative graphics that aid the students in navigating the site.\ Game Zone http://www.english-online.org.uk/games/gamezone2.htm Dozens of simple, straightforward games about grammar, spelling, and vocabulary reach out to English language learners at all levels. Keep in mind, however, that this site is based in the U.K. and follows a different set of linguistic rules than American English. Although this is the case it will aid students American English. The site was developed by English for Everyone. English Club http://www.englishclub.com/esl-games/ English Clubs massive suite of ESL games work on honing pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary through familiar activities, like hangman and word jumbles. Older students and adults in particular will find these incredible useful supplements to their classroom lessons. This site was developed by The English Club.

ELL/ESE Websites (Org - National)

http://www.nabe.org/AboutNABE National Association for Bilingual Education

The National Association for Bilingual Education is the only professional organization at the national level wholly devoted to representing both English language learners and bilingual educational professionals. Along with their affiliate organizations in 20 states, they represent a combined membership of bilingual and English-as-a-second-language teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, university professors and students, researchers, advocates, policymakers, and parents. The organization engages in: Professional development language learners Partnerships with other civil rights and education organizations to fight for the interests of language minority students

Lobbying at federal and state levels to ensure adequate funding of all programs that serve English language learners
Grassroots advocacy to mobilize parents and communities on behalf of educational excellence and equity Campaigns to educate the public about the effectiveness of bilingual education Provide resources to job seekers through our online career center

The website features links to advocacy information, conference information, publications, and career assistance resources to job seekers through an online career center. The site is well designed and contains up to date links, and a professional layout with easy to use drop down categories.

ELL/ESE Websites (Org - National)

http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oela/index.html?src=mr Office of English Language Acquisition

The mission of the Office of English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement for Limited English Proficient Students (OELA) is to provide national leadership to help ensure that English learners and immigrant students attain English proficiency and achieve academically. The Office identifies major issues affecting the education of English learners and assists and supports state and local systemic reform efforts to improve the achievement of English learners. The site contains information about government programs, contact information for government officials related to the public education of ELLs, descriptions of programs, services, and policies. It also includes links to other programs and opportunities for funding. The site is packed with information and links to many other government websites that provide information about related topics.

ELL/ESE Websites (Org Florida Region)

http://sstesol.org/ -

Sunshine State Teachers for English Speakers of Other Languages. (SSTESOL)

The mission of the Sunshine State Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (SSTESOL) is to provide educators access to professional development, resources, and interaction and to provide leadership and advocacy in language policy issues

The website contains links to journals, offers a place to join the organization, and recent news about activities that the organization has participated in. There is a great deal of information about advocacy and current issues impacting educators of ELL students in Florida.