ENGLISH

LANGUAGE
LEARNERS
By Breanna Bailey

WHAT ARE ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS?

RESOURCES FOR
ELL PARENTS
http://www.readingrockets.or
g/reading-topics/englishlanguage-learners

English Language Learners (ELL) are a diverse group of students, with

different language, academic, and social-emotional needs (2). ELL students
participate in programs for language assistance, such as English as a Second
Language, High Intensity Language Training, and bilingual education to help
them to use the English language proficiently and meet the same academic
goals and standards that all students are expected to meet (1).

Percentage of ELL Students by State

http://www.colorincolorado.o
rg/

http://esl.yourdictionary.com
/about-esl/how-parents-helptheir-esl-children-learnenglish.html

Image from Source 1 - http://nces.ed.gov/

Q: Why do we have such high percentages of ELL students?

A: The globalization of business and the influx of immigrants to the U.S. have
both driven the growth of English language learners and the need for
educators who are skilled in teaching this unique group of learners (5).

Engaging with the parents of ELL

students, also known as English
Language Learners, is vital to helping
these pupils succeed. Concordia
University (3)

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE CLASSROOM

ELL students may not have the same background knowledge as their Englishspeaking peers, especially when it comes to references to American culture
and geography (4).
Languages may differ in a number of aspects, such as phonetic sounds,
pronunciation, grammar, word order, or sentence structure (4).

WHAT CAN TEACHERS DO? (3)

Books for ELL Students
Easy English Step-by-Step for ESL
Learner
National Geographic Little Kids Word
Book
Richard Scarrys Best Word Book
Ever
Green Eggs and Ham
Good Night Moon
Flat Stanley
Sarah, Plain and Tall
The Lion and the Mouse

1. Connect with ELL students families - Put in the time to learn about
parents cultural traditions and educational characteristics. Work on
developing a personal, one-on-one approach with each family.
2. Ensure the effective communication of important school
information - Make certain that ELL families receive all of the schools
scheduling and other important information in their native languagenot
just in English to ensure they get the message.
3. Tailor your approach to the familys cultural traditions - Use
what you learned when you established contact with the family to embrace
their cultural norms.
4. Get parents involved in school activities - For starters, all parents
can monitor the completion of their childrens homework. But they can also
be encouraged to visit the classroom and perhaps even to speak to the class.
5. Formulate a plan to encourage parental engagement - Sometimes
families of ELL students (and the students for that matter) are subject to
scheduling limitations that are not immediately apparent or common to
other populations. Guidelines to keep in mind:

Tuesday

Simplify your language without "dumbing it down." (4)

Websites for ELL Students

It may seem difficult to balance this at first, but here are some tips for
communicating effectively with your students:

http://www.fluentu.com/english/educa
tor/blog/esl-books-for-beginners/
http://tie.webhost.uic.edu/coolsites.ht
m
http://starfall.com
http://literacycenter.net

Avoid slang and idiomatic expressions.

Speak clearly and naturally, without going too quickly or slowly.
Encourage students to raise their hand if they don't understand a
word.

Be aware of the relationship between a student's native

language and English.
A student's native language will most likely have a strong influence on the
way that student learns English. Understanding how this language is similar
to or different from English will help you focus on troublesome areas. This
influence can provide extra support, such as the case of English and Spanish
cognates (education and educacin). The influence also may lead to some
ongoing errors in English, which will become evident with time and repeated
use by students who have the same native language (4).

References
(1) The Condition of Education - Participation in Education - Elementary/Secondary Enrollment - English Language
Learners - Indicator May (2015). (2015, May). Retrieved March 28, 2016, from
http://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator_cgf.asp
(2) ELL Basics. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2016, from http://www.colorincolorado.org/ell-basics
(3) Five Ways to Engage Parents of ELL Students. (2013, November 1). Retrieved March 25, 2016, from
http://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/teaching-strategies/five-ways-to-engage-parents-of-ell-students/
(4) Roberston, K. (n.d.). Supporting ELLs in the Mainstream Classroom: Language Tips. Retrieved March 26, 2016, from
http://www.colorincolorado.org/article/supporting-ells-mainstream-classroom-language-tips
(5) What is an ESL Teacher? (n.d.). Retrieved March 26, 2016, from http://www.eslteacheredu.org/what-is-an-eslteacher/