Supporting ELLs in the Classroom
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...