How to Engage the English Language Learner

English Language Learners require varied levels of support and adaptations when interacting with online content depending on their level of English acquisition.

Provide multiple ways for English Language Learners to demonstrate their learning

Flexibility and range in assessment practices will allow English Language Learners to successfully demonstrate where they are in their learning. Consider:

• Simplifying language and including supportive images
• Adjusting the depth and breadth of expectations
• Allowing for more time to complete and respond to tasks/questions
• Encouraging use of first language
• A broad range of assessment options (e.g., oral interviews, observation, labelling of key diagrams, informal conversations, matching key concepts to definitions or images, use of video recordings and drawings, etc.)

Provide a supportive learning environment

Access to a wide range of supportive resources for English Language Learners will help students approach learning activities with increased independence and confidence. Consider:

• Thematic word walls supported with images (may also include phrases related to specific contexts) written in both English and in students’ first language
• Bilingual dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedias (both online and hard copies)
• Picture dictionaries organized thematically
• Personal vocabulary notebooks
• Simplified anchor charts with supportive images and labels
• First language peer partner
• Small group brainstorming/planning opportunities
• English speaking peer buddy
• Simplified or dual language reading material on subject material supported with images/diagrams/maps
• Online translation tools

Provide ways to scaffold learning

Breaking up learning into manageable parts and preparing supportive tools will help students to begin new learning with confidence and form a secure foundation to build upon. Consider:

• Visual Aids (simplified and/or open-ended graphic organizers, supportive images)
• Content based cloze activities, sentence starters, writing frames, modelled examples/prompts
• Chunking texts and segments of videos
• Opportunities for shared or collaborative writing
• Pre-teaching key vocabulary and concepts
• Drawing on student’s prior knowledge and lived experiences
• Opportunities for repetition, rephrasing and review
• Opportunities for students to discuss concepts with a learning buddy
• Interactive games to reinforce new material