Conferring Notes to Break Down Barriers

Conferring in literacy is a tried and true strategy for all learners, but for ELs, the technique can break down barriers that lead to understanding with content and context. When a teacher meets with each student, they can determine specific needs of each student, using sight words, sounding out letters, understanding the layout of a text, etc. EL students specifically need this additional layer of support due to a variety of backgrounds and cultural nuances; this strategy allows the teacher to focus on these deeper needs.