Supporting ELLs in the Classroom

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After my first year of teaching, I realized I was unprepared to effectively support the large number of ELLs in my classroom and scaffold their language acquisition. The same year, I decided I needed to learn more about working with English Language Learners (ELLs) and a year later, completed my post-bachelor certificate in English Language Learners.

ELLs are individuals learning English in addition to their first or home language. ELLs enter our classrooms with unique cultural, linguistic and academic backgrounds. Some ELLs may be born inside or outside of the country, Canada in my context, and some ELLs may be refugees or immigrants that have had no prior schooling or interrupted schooling due to their past experiences. ELLs may be experiencing trauma, culture shock or going through an adjustment to a new country, school and learning environment. 

ELLs require a culturally responsive educator who will help provide a safe and student-centered learning environment, meet their social and emotional needs and provide targeted language and literacy support within the classroom.

I curated a few of my favourite resources, along with some of my own resources I created during the program, to help educators support ELLs in the classroom. 

 

I believe learning how to support ELLs is important and valuable in higher education and adult education practices. The strategies outlined in my resource collection can be applied to all learning and content development practices. 


 Check out my collection on Pinterest Here



Comments

  1. EKDJune 25, 2021 at 1:56 PM

    Lissa, thank you so much for this! I teach a large population of elementary aged ELL students and I am constantly trying to find ways to support them. You made some great points about these students experiencing culture shock and making adjustments. My first year I was so overwhelmed with how I was going to teach these students and cater to their needs, that this major component went to the wayside.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LissaJune 27, 2021 at 12:52 PM

      I am glad you found these resources helpful! I felt similarly in my first year, it can be overwhelming

      Delete

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