Online Resources for Teaching English Learners

Tools to Help You Adapt Online Learning for ELs
“Every success story is a tale of constant adaptation, revision and change.”-Richard Branson

The success of educating our English Learners(ELs)in this new and ever-changing educational environment demands an ability to changeitup. So, as a nod to all the teachers out there having to adapt, revise and changein very short order, I am taking some greatarticlesfor teaching ELs, pouring over the content,andproviding this curated list ofresourcesthat are most applicable right nowwith a few embedded tools for your use. Here you go!

Topic:Using Technology to Support and/or Deliver Online Instruction

Takeaways:Some tools you are already using for allstudentsmight have supportsthat work well for ELs.Additionally, thesetech toolsshould be built into daily routines wheneverpossible, even if this means doing so online.Educators will need to get creativeto keep learners engaged, provide accommodations as needed,and may also need to resort to online language-learning tools.

Try:Newsela,Kh a n Academy,Voice Thread,Google Translate,Simple English Wikipedia,Explain Everything,BrainPop ESL,Ellavation,Read and Write for Google Chrome,Duolingo,Mango Languages,Tell About This

Tool(s)for YOU:Teachingchannel Hyperdoc Tip SheetANDTriple E Framework: Engage, Enhance, Extend

Topic: Supporting English Language Learners

Article:Supporting English Language Learners by Elizabeth Brozek and Debra Duckworth

Takeaways:ELs benefit from being able touse technology to express themselves.Multimediatechnologycan be used toincorporate pictures or videointo lessonsgivingstudents the necessary contextualcues to understand newideas.Discussion boardscan create an opportunityfor students to be activelyinvolvedin academic and social English while outside of the classroom environment. Be sure toprovidescaffolds to support EL expression using these technologies (i.e. sentence starters, templates, etc.)

Try:Animoto,Dave’s ESL Café,Edmodo,Answer Garden

ATool for YOU:Sentence Frames as a Scaffold for Discussions

Topic: ActivatingBackgroundKnowledge

Article:ActivatingPrior Knowledge With English Language Learners by Larry Ferlazzo and Katie Hull Sypnieski

Takeaways:Versions of a K-W-L chart can help ELs activate background knowledge.Anticipation guidesare useful to accomplish a similar goal.Using multimedia or preparatory texts can alsojump start lessonsby reading a book, watching a video or having a virtual presentation from an expert!

Try:Google Docs for Anticipation Guide Building,Non-fiction Picture Books,Scholastic Watch and Learn,Virtual Reality,Skype a Scientist

AToolfor YOU:KWHLAQ Form(OR try recreatingthis document inPadlettomake it more collaborative or facilitate whole group interaction.)

Topic:Vocabulary Learning Strategies

Article:Top Five Vocabulary Strategies For English Language Learners by Erica Hilliker

Takeaways:It’s imperative that you provide students a preview of unfamiliar vocabulary.Using visuals or word walls can help you accomplish this.Fill in the blank definitions or sentences provide a great scaffold for ELs at the use new vocabulary.Graphic organizerscan be used in a similar way.

Try:Padlet,Pixabay,Flickr,Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary

AToolfor YOU:Frayer Model Template

I hope you find a few valuable ideas, tools and strategies to make your planningand instruction a biteasier. Thank you for your work and what you do for ELs and all students!Learners Edgeappreciatesyou. Should you need additional resources, here are a few more!

Additional Resources for Teaching EL’s: