Facilitating Language Acquisition in the Classroom
Create an environment that facilitates language learning.
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Actively engage students in challenging learning activities.
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Use interactive activities so ELL students talk with their peers and use academic English.
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Use concrete, hands-on activities (and language) before more abstract (and language) activities.
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Create and atmosphere in which ELL students feel safe in taking risks with both English and content.
Adjust teacher talk to increase comprehensibility.
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Face the students.
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Pause frequently.
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Paraphrase often.
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Clearly indicate the most important ideas and vocabulary through intonation or writing on the blackboard.
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Avoid “asides”.
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Avoid or clarify pronouns.
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Use shorter sentences.
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Use subject-verb-object word order.
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Increase wait time for students to answer.
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Focus on the student’s meaning, not grammar.
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Avoid interpreting on a regular basis.
Support or scaffold ELL student language development
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Ask questions in simplified language.
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Establish a pattern in the questions.
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Ask for elaboration, “Tell me more about…”.
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Be a good listener (eye contact, non-verbal support, plenty of time).
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Provide encouragement to continue “Uh-huh. Really? What happened then?”.
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Provide difficult words.
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Ask for clarification, “I’m not sure I understand. Can you say it again?”.
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Paraphrase what the student said.
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Interaction is high.