Teaching ESL Students

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Teaching ESL Students

• What You Need to Know

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What is ELL

• The state of Tennessee defines ELL students as
• Those whose native language is other than English
  and whose difficulty in speaking, reading,
  writing, or understanding the English language is
  an obstacle in classrooms where English is the
  only language of instruction.

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Whats in a Name?

• ESL English as a Second Language
• ELL English Language Learner
• ESOL English as a Second or Other Language
• ELD English Language Development
• LEP Limited English Proficiency
• FEP Fluent English Proficient

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Identifying ELL Students

• The way teachers and administrators can identify
  ELL students is by administering the Home Survey
  with the following questions
• What is the first language your child learned to
  speak?
• What language does your child speak most often
  outside of school?
• What language does your child speak most often
  inside the home?

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Assessment Identifying current ESL Level

• Students must be given the CELLA (Comprehensive
  English Language Assessment) to identify their
  current ELL level.

• Levels are determined by scores on the CELLA
  test.
• There are three areas of assessment
• 1. Oral/Speaking Listening
• 2. Reading
• 3. Writing

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Placement based on scores (Grades K 2)
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Placement Continued (Grades 3 - 5)
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Placement Continued (Grades 6 8)
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Placement Continued (9 12)
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Yearly ESL Testing with ELDA

• Every ESL student must be tested every year to
  establish ESL level, growth, and yearly progress.
• Tennessee State currently uses the ELDA to
  determine students reading, writing, listening,
  and speaking level for ESL students.

• Testing out of ESL is determined the ELDA
  results, and two other sources of documentation
  proving students proficiency.
• Students must score a 4 to be considered eligible
  for promotion with two additional sources.
• If a score of a 5 is obtained students may exit
  with confirmations of grade level proficiency
  with one other source of documentation.

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What is T1 and T2

• When a student has passed the ELDA with a 4 or 5
  they are classified as T1 and exit the ESL
  program to be monitored by the district for the
  first year of transition.
• A T2 is if the student is successful for the year
  as a T1 the district must continue to monitor
  them for one more school year.
• When a T2 is successful in the regular classroom
  without ESL support he/she can be reclassified as
  a FEP or LEP.
• T1 and T2 students are not entitled to any
  accommodations/modifications for testing purposes

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Retention Issues

• ELL students must not be retained in grade level
  because of their language skills.
• Alternatives to Retention
• 1. Remedial before - and after School programs
• 2. Tutoring
• 3. Summer school
• 4. Instructional Aids, and
• 5. Peer tutoring

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Accommodation Modifications
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Role of the Teacher

• Become a student of culture
• Be sensitive to cultural differences
• Promote a multicultural point of view
• Allow students to become students of culture

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Classroom Support

• Classroom support is crucial for the success of
  the ELL student.
• Simple and easy to do activities that offer
  support could include the following

• Curriculum material that reflect a variety of
  cultural groups
• Lessons that address different learning styles
  and modalities
• Visual aides and bilingual resources
• Role modeling/peer grouping

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Methods of instruction

• Interactive lessons with hands on activities and
  cooperative learning
• Encouragement of creativity and discovery
• Versatility and flexibility
• Enhancement and support of the mainstream
  curriculum
• Opportunities for all students to feel successful

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Parents of ELL students

• The parents of ELL students need support to
• Understand how U.S. school system works
• Understand how local school districts and schools
  operate
• What is expected of them by schools, districts,
  and personnel
• Participate in their childs education

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Things to Remember

• English is not an easy language to learn
• Use a variety of methods and strategies to
  support a positive learning environment
• Be sensitive to cultural differences
• Provide consistency in classroom regulations and
  expectations

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Resources

• www.educationworld.com
• www.tesol.org
• www.kumc.edu/diversity/
• www.englishclub.com
• www.elearningguild.com/
• http//owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/esl/eslstud
  ent.html

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Bibliography

• Tennessee English as a Second Language Program
  Guide (2003)
• State of Tennessee Department of Education
  English as a Second Language (ESL) Curriculum
  Standards (retrieved January 2005)