WHAT IS AN ELL LEARNER?

An ELL learner is an active learner of the English language who may benefit
from various types of language support in the classroom.

It takes two to three years to develop a command of social or

conversational English. It takes four to seven years to develop a
command of academic English.

FIVE LEVELS OF ELL STUDENT

1. Entering: The ELL student has a very limited vocabulary.
2. Beginning : The ELL students vocabulary is greatly limited to commonly
used words

3. Developing: The ELL students vocabulary is limited but rapidly improving.

4. Expanding: The ELL student easily participates in classroom and social
activities, constantly adding to his/her knowledge of vocabulary.
5. Bridging: The ELL student is able to participate and excel in all classroom
and social activities, requiring less frequent teacher intervention with
vocabulary and directional assistance.

World Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA)

Michigan adopted this ELL assessment called Access for the 2013-2014
school year.
This is an annual English language proficiency assessment for ELL
learners
WIDA: focuses on English language development for ELLs

Source:
http://kentisdse.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/66270348/WIDA%201%20pager%20-%20May%202013.pdf

ELL STATISTICS
1 in 7 students will speak English as a second or third language.
More than five million school age children have been identified as ELs.
More than 10% of the total K-12 public school population is ELL

HOW CAN PARENTS HELP AT HOME?

*Encourage parents to tell stories to their children, and to create their own
stories.
These skills will help with their child's vocabulary and oral
language skills.
* Parents can read wordless books to their child.
This skill will allow their child to observe story sequence and give
the child the ability to predict.
*Say rhymes and sing songs.
Demonstrating these skills can develop oral language skills such
as
intonation and word stress.
*Engage in meaningful conversations with your child. (Ask more than yes
or no
questions)
This skill will help their child with oral language development.

HOW TO REACH OUT TO ELL PARENTS

1. Use their preferred language
a. Find a bilingual interpreter for parent teacher conferences, back to
school nights, and regular communication. The person could be
another staff person, friend or another family member.
b. Translate written documents into their language.
c. Learn common phrases of their language and use it. Parents will feel
more welcome
2. Arrange home and community visits: This will help establish a
relationship with
the parents if they are not comfortable in the
school.
3. Host an ELL back to- school night.
This will allow the parents to feel comfortable and all information
will be presented in their primary language.

ACCOMMODATIONS
1. Reduce note taking
2. Use manipulatives
3. Focus on sight word vocabulary

4. Choose easy to read fonts

5. Use pictures
6. Play word games
7. Provide real-life experiences

8. Think-pair-share

ACCOMMODATIONS CONT.
9. Folder Activity (Demo)
10. Problem Based Learning
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/ell-support-through-pbl-inps

ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES
1. Reading with partners
2. Retelling stories
3. Role playing

4. Giving descriptions, or instructions using visual or written prompts.

5. Oral reporting to whole class
6. Telling a story using a sequence
7. Think alouds

8. Playing games
9. Completing incomplete stories
10. Debating

APPS TO USE FOR ELL LEARNERS

Sentence Builder: Sentence Builder is designed to help elementary aged
children learn how to build grammatically correct sentences.

Word Bingo: Child will practice reading and spelling over 300 Dolch sight
words by playing games.

ESL Express: Words Frequently Confused: Difficulties often arise because

of the similarity in sound between two or more words. Careful
differentiation is needed between, for example, veil and vale; accept
and except;

APPS CONTINUED
PrepositionBuilder: The purpose of this app is to teach students how
different prepositions can alter the overall meaning of a particular
sentence.

EF English First High Flyers Vocab Game for Learning English 2: Kids will
master 1000 essential English words through engaging activities.

WEBSITES FOR ELL LEARNERS

Hello World: Word Languages for Children
http://www.hello-world.com/English/

Fun Brain:
http://www.funbrain.com/
Reading Bear: Teaches vocabulary words and all of the phonics rules.

http://www.readingbear.org/

SOURCES
http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-22709_40192---,00.html
http://www.colorincolorado.org/educators/assessment/informal/
http://www.benchmarkeducation.com/learning-environment/ell-english-languagelearner-teaching-strategies--best-practices.html
teachingchannel.org - https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/ell-support-throughpbl-inps
Engaging in the Language Arts: Exploring the Power of Language by Donna Ogle and
James W. Beers
http://www.teachersfirst.com/content/esl/esllevels.cfm