Resources for Teachers of English Language Learners in Grades 9-12
Resources for Grades 6-8 | Resources for Grades K-5
There are approximately 100 students receiving direct ESOL services at Burlington High School. While many of these students are enrolled in sheltered content classes, many others are in mainstream classrooms, including English learners who no longer receive direct ESOL services. Teachers in the ESOL Department at BHS are Sara Crothers (Lead Teacher), Sue Blethen, Zhihang Hao, Jill Jacobelli, and Holly Carroll for ESOL Science.
Teachers are obligated to adapt and accommodate classwork so ELLs can access the grade level curriculum in a meaningful way. How content is accommodated depends on the subject area, the teacher, and the students. Not all English language learners are the same!
Below you will find a collection of resources designed to help teachers teach ELLs in mainstream classrooms. Please check this site often as it will be updated on a continuing basis.
General Tips on Supporting ELLs in Mainstream Classes
Strategies for Success: Engaging Immigrant Students in Secondary Schools
http://www.cal.org/resources/digest/0003strategies.html
This article by Aida Walqui (2000) highlights 10 principles for developing effective learning contexts for adolescent ELLs.Teaching ELLs Newsletter, September 2006
Teaching ELLs Newsletter, November 2006
Teaching ELLs Newsletter, May 2007
Developing Content and Language Objectives for ELLs
Understanding the WIDA English Language Proficiency Standards: A Resource Guide for Teachers and Administrators
http://www.wida.us/standards/Resource_Guide_web.pdfWIDA English Language Proficiency Standards for English Language Learners in Grades 6-12
http://www.wida.us/standards/6-12%20Standards%20web.pdfEnglish Language Learners in Middle and High School
http://www.colorincolorado.org/webcasts/middle
A webcast with Dr. Deborah Short on the challenges faced by secondary students learning a new language and content.Double the Work: Challenges and Solutions to Acquiring Language and Academic Literacy for Adolescent English Language Learners
http://www.all4ed.org/publications/DoubleWork/index.html
A report from the Alliance for Excellent Education on the challenges facing secondary students learning English.
Samples of Accommodated Content
Learning Computer Programs: Word
This booklet is intended for ELLs who are learning the software program Microsoft Word. This booklet supplements the Computer Literacy curriculum, but can be a useful resource for students in all classes.
Word for ELLs (PDF)
QUEST Math Related Links for ELLs
Document of links to further resources for math teachers and math coaches.
ESL/Math Resources (Word)FastMath
A math curriculum for newcomer ELLs who are two or more years behind grade level from Fairfax County Schools, VA.
http://www.ncela.gwu.edu/resabout/literacy/fastmath/index.htmTeaching Math to English Learners: Can Research Help?
The first of three articles by Suzanne Irujo for ELL Outlook (Apr/May 2007) on language factors, classroom discourse, and sociocultural issues that impact students in learning math.
http://www.coursecrafters.com/ELL-Outlook/2007/mar_apr/ELLOutlookITIArticle1.htmSo Just What Is the Academic Language of Mathematics?
The second of three articles by Suzanne Irujo for ELL Outlook (May/June 2007) on academic language of math.
http://www.coursecrafters.com/ELL-Outlook/2007/may_jun/ELLOutlookITIArticle1.htmPutting It All Together: Integrating Academic Math Language into Math Teaching
The third of three articles by Suzanne Irujo in ELL Outlook (Nov/Dec 2007) focusing on how to teach the language of math in a math class.
http://www.coursecrafters.com/ELL-Outlook/2007/nov_dec/ELLOutlookITIArticle2.htm
Essential Elements of Science Instruction for English Learners
http://csmp.ucop.edu/csp/downloads/essential_elements_2.pdfStrategies for Teaching Science to Limited English Proficient Students: From Comprehensible Input to Comprehensible Output
This presentation is from the Summer 2007 Teacher to Teacher workshops sponsored by the US Department of Education. Included are a PowerPoint presentation and handouts from the session.
http://www.t2tweb.us/Workshops/Sessions.asp?SessionID=197Science and Mathematics Strategies for Limited English Proficient Students
This presentation is from the Summer 2007 Teacher to Teacher workshops sponsored by the US Department of Education. Included are a PowerPoint presentation and handouts from the session.
http://www.t2tweb.us/Workshops/Sessions.asp?SessionID=95Teaching LEP Students in Science and Mathematics Classrooms
This presentation is from the Summer 2007 Teacher to Teacher workshops sponsored by the US Department of Education. Included are a PowerPoint presentation and handouts from the session.
http://www.t2tweb.us/Workshops/Sessions.asp?SessionID=165
Ben's Guide
A website with an explanation of the US government with appropriate content for students in grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Low literacy ELLs may be able to access lower grade level material. Includes graphics and games.
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/
English Resources
NCTE Secondary English Language Learner Resources
http://www.ncte.org/collections/secell
A collection of articles and resources developed by NCTE for teachers of English.
Leveled Book List
The BHS Library staff completed an extensive listing of the reading levels of all reading books available to students. This list helps students and teachers find appropriate leveled reading materials. Also included are books at other district libraries.
Books at Reading Grade Level 3-5
Books at Reading Grade Level 6-9Books on Tape
Check with the librarian for titles of books on tape. Listening to books on tape improves reading and comprehension skills of ELLs, provided the text is not too difficult for the student.Easy Reading Magazines
The BHS Library also gets copies of ACTION magazine, a Scholastic magazine for teen ELL readers.
CONTENTS
General Tips on Supporting ELLs in Mainstream Classes
Developing Content and Language Objectives for ELLs
Samples of Accommodated Content