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,Khan 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:
- Colorin Colorado
- 5 Key Strategies for ELL Instruction by Rebecca Greene
- The Power of Collaboration for ELLs by Gretchen Vierstra
- PD 137 Course from Learners Edge: Ten Amazing Instructional Strategies for English Learners
- Culture and Language Courses from Learners Edge
- Strengthening Teaching and Learning for ELLs by Lisa Kwong
- ELLs: Perspectives and Pedagogy by 5 Key Strategies for ELL Instruction by Rebecca Greene
- Why are Academic Conversations so Important for Our ELLs? by Nicole Knight
- 5 More Things English Learners Need From Classroom Teachers by Rebecca Greene