Welcome to the World of ESL!

The world of ESL has broadened our horizons and it has given us the opportunity to embrace the diversity within our classrooms!

• English language learners need 7-9 years to acquire the language skills required for academic achievement
• English Language learners need approximatlely 3 years to acquire basic interpersonal communication skills or "social language" in English.
• In face-to-face communication only 37% is verbal
• Nonverbal communication is learned out of awaremess.

• Check out bilingual dictionaries
• Involve ESL students in discussions. Start with yes or no questions.
• Simplify what you say
• Speak slowly. Articulate clearly. Repeat main points.
• Allow ample "wait time" after a question. The student may need time to process the question. Student meed need extra time to put thoughts into English.
• Some students come from languages that use different alphabets. Print when you write on the board because some students have problem reading cursive writing.
• Include ESL students in some form in all activities. They need to feel a sense of belonging to the class. They also need to experience a sense of accomplishment.
• Do NOT automatically give a zero is a homework assignment is not done. Sometimes they do not understand and there is no one to help them at home.
• Grade papers with other colors. Red signifies "stop" and acts as a deterrent to achieve success.
• Grade +3/25 rather than -22/25. By keeping track of the number correct, improvement will be shown. Focus on what they know. Grading averages can be done on the number correct and the Report Card Comment Codes.
• Give explicit verbal and written directions. Use lots of visuals and exaples of work.
• Create hands-on activities. ESL students understand more by doing than listening.
• Avoid idiomatic expressions. ESL students will not understand, "It is raining cats and dogs." They are literal thinkers.
• Pair ESL students with strong native English speakers.
• ESL students respond to a predictable routine with clear beginnings and endings. Be consistent whenever possible.
• Allow native English speakers who take comprehensible notes to share their notebooks with ESL students. Students learning a language find it almost impossible to listen to the teacher and take notes at the same time.
• Emphasize main ideas. It is more important for the ESL student to see the big picture than be able to translate every word on a page.
• Encourage your students to proofread.  Some come from cultures where they are not taught to write drafts before completing their final products.
• Get to know your ESL students' background.  Find out factors like war, severe poverty, or a lack of formal education have affected their learning development.
• Celebrate cultural diversity.  Look upon your ESL students as an enrichment opportunity and encourage them to share their native culture with your mainstream students. The foreign born students can provide positive experiences for everyone in your class.

Great Websites!

Center for Multilingual, Multicultural Research

Dave's ESL Cafe

NCBE: Bilingual Education Links

NJTESOL