English Language LearnersEnglish Language Learners

Demographic informationDemographic information

About 20% of school children are ELL.About 20% of school children are ELL. By 2020 46% of Americans will be members of By 2020 46% of Americans will be members of

some minority group. These families also have low some minority group. These families also have low literacy levels at home.literacy levels at home.

It takes a child 7-10 yrs for a non-English speaking It takes a child 7-10 yrs for a non-English speaking child to reach age-level norms in language when child to reach age-level norms in language when they are placed in an immersion programthey are placed in an immersion program

ELL students often receive lower grades, are seen ELL students often receive lower grades, are seen as less intellectually competent by their teachers & as less intellectually competent by their teachers & are 1.5 times more likely to drop out of school. are 1.5 times more likely to drop out of school. What are the implications for these?What are the implications for these?

A quick debateA quick debate

Is it best to place a non-English speaking Is it best to place a non-English speaking child in an English immersion program (right child in an English immersion program (right into a classroom where English is used and into a classroom where English is used and let them learn the language faster?let them learn the language faster?

How would Vygotsky & Piaget How would Vygotsky & Piaget respond to helping children from respond to helping children from other cultures: Application of other cultures: Application of theoriestheories

Considerations for book selectionConsiderations for book selection

Illustrations that help tell the story.Illustrations that help tell the story. Predictable/patterned books/rhyming Predictable/patterned books/rhyming

sounds.sounds. Books about child’s culture (helps build self-Books about child’s culture (helps build self-

esteem).esteem). Books in child’s language (if possible).Books in child’s language (if possible). Books on tapeBooks on tape

Book sharingBook sharing

The key is to help child develop literacy without The key is to help child develop literacy without compromising the first language.compromising the first language.

Use parents or bilingual staff as interpreters.Use parents or bilingual staff as interpreters. Audiotape someone read a book in native Audiotape someone read a book in native

language & keep tape accessible to child.language & keep tape accessible to child. Use other strategies to help child comprehend (art, Use other strategies to help child comprehend (art,

trips, puppets, etc).trips, puppets, etc). When reading use a lot of gestures to facilitate When reading use a lot of gestures to facilitate

comprehension.comprehension. Use thematic approach to help child connect what Use thematic approach to help child connect what

is being taught to the book content.is being taught to the book content.

Book sharing (cont’d)Book sharing (cont’d)

Newly immigrated children need books that will Newly immigrated children need books that will provide them with information that will support provide them with information that will support their academic success.their academic success.

Literacy groups/literature circles are some book Literacy groups/literature circles are some book discussions that provide ELL students discussions that provide ELL students opportunities to practice conversational skills. You opportunities to practice conversational skills. You can pair them with children having same struggles can pair them with children having same struggles so that they feel safer to try.so that they feel safer to try.

Many cultures use oral stories, riddles, etc as a Many cultures use oral stories, riddles, etc as a form of literature. Use this when working with form of literature. Use this when working with children from such ethnic/cultural backgroundschildren from such ethnic/cultural backgrounds

Working with familiesWorking with families

Very critical. They can help in the following ways:Very critical. They can help in the following ways:– Volunteer to help their children in class.Volunteer to help their children in class.– Share stories & other forms of literature specific to Share stories & other forms of literature specific to

culture.culture.– Inform the teacher about their culture, practices & what Inform the teacher about their culture, practices & what

is important to family so teacher can try to support child.is important to family so teacher can try to support child.– Help support child’s literacy at home.Help support child’s literacy at home.– Help maintain literacy in 1Help maintain literacy in 1stst language. language.