Top 10 Strategies for EL Students

1) Be aware of the language you use.

We often used advanced language or jargon and we are
unaware. Be careful to use simple and clear language.
Emphasize the most important details.
Avoid using too much language.
2) Balance content and language complexity.
When language is the focus dont complicate things
with complex content, or vice versa.
Maintain as few foci for student learning as possible.
3) Check for understanding frequently.
Use 1 on 1, group, and whole class checks for
understanding.
i. Self-monitoring, exit tickets, call and response,
cold-call
4) Provide frequent opportunities for authentic communication
in English.
5) Create opportunities for open-ended answers.
Avoid only using yes or no answers because open-
ended questions appear challenging. Let students
handle risks and scaffold their attempts.
6) Contextualize language with various forms of media (e.g.
pictures, videos, etc.)
7) Use scaffolds such as sentence frames or cloze activities to
support learning.
8) Restate student ideas and responses in correct and different
words.
9) Avoid figurative or sarcastic language unless you are clear to
explain it.

10) Allow students the chance to read aloud or

independently despite any challenges it might present. They
need practice!