English Learners
Resources
Greetings
- Our goal is to ensure that English learners acquire full proficiency in English as rapidly and effectively as possible and attain parity with native speakers of English.
We provide a wealth of free resources for our EL students. These resources are invaluable to the development of our EL student's English Language skills, as well as their overall literacy skills.
The Bilingual Advantage
Ludwig Wittgenstein wrote, “The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.”
The words that we have at our disposal affect what we see—and the more words there are, the better our perception. When we learn to speak a different language, we learn to see a bigger world.
Being Bilingual is a Great Thing
EL Resources
English Learner Resources
According to Title V California Code of Regulations 11300 (a) we must comply with offering Designated English language Development. “Designated English Language Development” means instruction provided during a time set aside in the regular school day for focused instruction on the state-adopted English language development (ELD) standards to assist English learners to develop critical English language skills necessary for academic content learning in English. Our school has determined this to be 30 minutes a day.
The 30 minutes should include daily specific vocabulary building - both academic and social language. Students should also be practicing speaking and reading every day. This can be done with online programs that include interactive activities and videos and/or textbook and workbook activities.
In addition to vocabulary, speaking, and reading daily, English learners should also be working on grammar and writing skills. Many of the programs that students will be using will have a structured schedule of activities. Using something more structured is recommended.
HSTs who have English learners may provide families with the English Language Development Daily Log and collect it each learning period to ensure ELD time is built into each day.
Scroll down to see a list of resources students can use to meet their daily requirements.
Here is a suggested weekly schedule for English Language Development, which can be adjusted according to each family’s needs or for the program they have chosen to use:
TK-5th grade (30 Minutes a day- English Language Development)
Vocabulary
5-10 minutes
Grammar
10-15 minutes
Writing
10-15 minutes
Reading
5-10 minutes
Speaking
5-10 minutes
6th-12th grade (30 Minutes a day- English Language Development)
Vocabulary
5-10 minutes
Grammar
10-15 minutes
Writing
10-15 minutes
Reading
5-10 minutes
Speaking
5-10 minutes
SUPPLEMENTAL ENGLISH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS OFFERED THROUGH THE SCHOOL
Located on EL Student’s Renaissance Learning Dashboard (the Star360 site)
English in a Flash
(30 min per day)
Each student designated as a second language learner has access to English in a Flash (EIAF). Renaissance English in a Flash develops the vocabulary of English learners for academic success. After a short placement test, students build vocabulary—beyond conversational skills—to support students across the content areas. Students should work a minimum of 30 minutes a day. Because words are used in context, students develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.
Academic Video Library accessible on the
Lively Letters Academic Videos (TK-2)
Lively Letters videos are available on the Intervention website. The Intervention Support Web-Site is accessible to all Educators/Learning Coaches/Parents. This is a research-based and clinically- proven, multi- sensory reading program that turns plain, abstract letters and sounds into lively characters.
Sight Words You Can See Videos (TK-2)
Sight Words You Can See videos are available on the Intervention website. The Intervention Support Web-Site is accessible to all Educators/Learning Coaches/Parents. This is a research-based and clinically- proven, multi- sensory reading program that turns plain, abstract letters and sounds into lively characters. This is a research- based, multi- sensory program that uses mnemonics and imagery to train 84 of the most difficult, phonetically irregular sight words.
Writing Tools/Videos/
Lessons
Writing Tools/Videos/Lessons are available on the Intervention website: Intervention Support Web-Site The Intervention Support Web-Site is accessible to all Educators/Learning Coaches/Parents. This is a research-based and clinically- proven, multi- sensory reading program that turns plain, abstract letters and sounds into lively characters.
Through the
Online Subscription Package (OSP)
Rosetta Stone
Access to the Rosetta Stone Language Learning Suite, students will get to pick from 24 language courses set at their grade level. Rosetta Stone Foundations focuses on teaching the fundamentals to students.
Mango Languages
A fun-infused way to learn a new language. Mango prepares learners for realistic conversations and strengthens everyday communication skills in over 70 world languages, including English.
Reading Eggs
Reading Eggs challenges students to sharpen their speaking skills in the lessons by reading aloud, practicing pronunciation, matching sounds to letters, and repeating words. The ongoing repetition and careful scaffolding help students build confidence when it comes to reading or speaking aloud in English. Reading Eggs available through the EL Support Team at no cost to the student. Please email:elsupport@inspiresschools.org for assistance.
LANGUAGE ARTS CURRICULUM THAT OFFERS AN ENGLISH LEARNER COMPONENT
McGraw Hill StudySync Online Student with Designated ELD
(HST orders through COS)
StudySync supports literacy and skills development for all 6–12 students, including beginner, intermediate, and advanced English Learners. All lessons include resources, such as sentence frames, graphic organizers, glossaries.
The English Learner Resources: 20 lessons in each unit in addition to and supportive of the regular ELA curriculum; two unique, created texts written for EL students at four proficiency levels (Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced, and Advanced High) offering differentiated instruction and lessons specifically for English Learners; Organized around a First Read, a Close Read, and Skill lessons; Emphasize explicit vocabulary instruction, language acquisition, spelling and grammar conventions, and reading comprehension; Build toward a culminating writing and speaking performance task for the Extended Oral Project in each unit.
Wonders for English Learners: A K-6 ELL Program
(HST orders through COS)
CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE ON THE COS
Will be available soon!
Equity of Access for English Language Learners
Wonders for English Learners offers instruction specifically designed to create learning experiences that increase student engagement, build language skills, and inspire confidence. Lessons emphasize the building of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills to improve both academic and social language and accelerate progress in the core classroom.
Also available are Wonders for English Learners Newcomer components. Designed to build oral language skills through collaborative conversations, these components allow students to communicate in school and their community successfully.
Pearson Language Central 6-10 (ELD)
Order through the EOS
Language Central [daily 30 minute lessons] works alongside any core literacy program. It’s conceptually related to Reading Street (K–5) and Prentice Hall Literature (6–10). The systematic lessons in Language Central help English learners produce oral and written language, and learn critical vocabulary and reading comprehension skills.
Order through the EOS
The Logic of English series offers English language learners an efficient way to master English reading, spelling, writing, and grammar. The materials also boost speaking and listening skills through vocabulary development, teaching students to hear and pronounce the 45 sounds of English, and systematic instruction in English sentence structure.
CONTENT AREA PROGRAMS FOR ENGLISH LEARNERS
Pearson Language Central for Math Program for Grades 3-8
Ordered through the EOS
Language Central for Math helps ELLs and struggling students, grades 3 - 8, develop the academic vocabulary necessary to master math. Oftentimes it’s the math vocabulary, not the mathematical concepts, that hinder student mastery. Language Central for Math is designed to directly address this issue.
Thoughtful Learning (Writing Grades 1-12)
Ordered through the EOS
Student Models of Writing
When you need an example written by a student, check out our vast collection of free student models. Scroll through the list, or search for a mode of writing, such as “explanatory” or “persuasive.”
Pearson Language Central for Science Program for Grades 3-8
Ordered through the EOS
Language Central for Science helps ELLs and struggling students develop the academic vocabulary necessary to master Science. Often times it is the Science vocabulary, not the scientific concepts, which hinder student mastery.
Longman Social Studies Grades 6-12
Ordered through the EOS
Designed for students in grades 6-12, prepares students for success in a standards-based social studies program with a broad overview of World and American history. All activities are specifically geared to students in the early stages of English language acquisition, and help build content knowledge, skills, and learning strategies.
SUPPLEMENTAL VOCABULARY BUILDING PROGRAMS FOR ENGLISH LEARNERS
Wordly Wise 4th Edition provides direct academic vocabulary instruction to develop the critical link between vocabulary and reading comprehension. The robust activities, student engagement, and differentiated instruction provide the flexibility to meet the needs of today’s varying student population.
Wordly Wise is available through the EL Support Team at no cost to the student. Please email:elsupport@inspiresschools.org for assistance with ordering.
Ordered through the EOS
Interactive games provide the essential instructional factors for building academic vocabulary and fluency, including pictures, repetition, oral language, phonemic awareness and phonics.
SUPPLEMENTAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAMS
**FREE**
Duolingo is based on a methodology proven to foster long-term retention, and a curriculum aligned to an international standard.
Duolingo takes a functional approach by focusing on what learners actually want to do with a language. Lessons focus on a real-life goal — for instance, ordering at a restaurant. Learners develop the vocabulary and grammar needed to achieve that goal through lots of varied practice in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
**FREE**
English Interactive tries to offer practice in English skills for every level. Since most of the resources are outside this website, it's best to check the links in each level. Many of the resources offer multiple levels, and all of the links lead to free interactive practice materials. Great for self-studying language learners and for teachers & tutors to use in the classroom, online, or for curriculum assignments.
Materials available for reading in English for every age. Interactive children's books to listen, read, & repeat.
**FREE**
English Media Lab features several ESL exercises online, including an English TV section with videos by Levels - Beginner Videos, Elementary & High Level Videos. English Media Lab also provides interactive practice & reinforcement of grammar, vocabulary & pronunciation skills. The new feature on this site is the interactive games section. English Media Lab provides a wide variety of ESL/EFL interactive grammar, vocabulary, listening and classroom games alongside several puzzles - crossword puzzles, word search activities, cloze exercises & more.
**FREE**
USA Learns has four English courses to help you learn beginning and intermediate English. The courses include videos and interactive learning activities to help you practice and improve your English skills in listening comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, spelling, pronunciation, reading, writing, speaking and life skills.
Although the site is intended for adults to learn English online in a free online setting, there is no exclusion or age requirement for the site. Those individuals under the age of 18 (minors) may also register on the site for the purpose of learning English. The use of the site by a minor should be subject to the consent of their parent or guardian, and it is the sole responsibility of the parent or guardian whether to allow a minor’s use of the site.
**FREE**
Provides English learning and teaching materials for young learners, preschool, beginners, elementary and pre-intermediate. Materials are designed to appeal to all learning styles. Kinesthetic, visual and auditory learners used are common in all ESL Kids classrooms. * Video Lessons by course, * Printable Worksheets, * Self-grading exercises, * Flashcards, * Phonics Materials, * Teaching tips
Printable lessons, fun activities for kids, and more to help reinforce the vocabulary children learn from watching Little Pim episodes. (from 0 to 6 years old).
Video series, flashcard sets, books, and music keep kids entertained while inspiring in them a lifelong love of language learning.
English In A Flash
English in a Flash—an Overview
English in a Flash (EIAF) is an intervention component of the Renaissance Learning program, which also hosts our Star 360 assessment. All students designated as EL, at Inspire, are automatically assigned a login for EIAF. Though we predominantly use this intervention for our ELs, it may also be useful for other students who are struggling with English comprehension. This program teaches high-frequency, mid/low- frequency, and content-area vocabulary.
Key features of this program:
• Individualization: Assesses the learner’s listening vocabulary and places the student in correct English in a Flash Library and Chapter using a Test-Out feature.
• Academic Vocabulary: Ensures all low-vocabulary students are provided multiple opportunities to learn not only individual words, but how academic words are used in context.
• Listening Comprehension: Builds listening comprehension that supports reading comprehension by providing the learner with large amounts of comprehensible input.
• Standards-Based Activities: Incorporates listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities that reinforce vocabulary and grammatical structures.
• Accelerated Reader Integration: Provides students a depth of vocabulary that supports reading of Accelerated Reader books. As a result, the number of books increases with every chapter
EIAF first teaches vocabulary words before placing them in a grammatical context. Students are provided with comprehensible input consisting of multiple exposures to vocabulary and grammatical structures. 4,000+ words are taught directly and 1,500+ words indirectly.
It teaches the English sound system, grammatical structures, and vocabulary in the following areas: basic communication, math, science, social studies, and language arts.
Resources and reports of the program:
Activities in Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing
• Recommended Reading Lists
• Printable Flash Cards
• Teacher Class Reports
• Individual Student Reports
Global Storybooks
Storyline Online
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s award-winning children’s literacy website, Storyline Online, streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Readers include Viola Davis, Chris Pine, Lily Tomlin, Kevin Costner, Annette Bening, James Earl Jones, Betty White and dozens more.
Storyline Online receives over 100 million views annually from children all over the world.
Reading aloud to children has been shown to improve reading, writing and communication skills, logical thinking and concentration, and general academic aptitude, as well as inspire a lifelong love of reading.
Storyline Online is available 24 hours a day for children, parents, caregivers and educators worldwide. Each book includes supplemental curriculum developed by a credentialed elementary educator, aiming to strengthen comprehension and verbal and written skills for English-language learners.
Getting Your Student Ready for the ELPAC
Identifying students who need help learning English is important so these students can get the support they need to do well in English language arts/literacy, mathematics, science, and other subject areas in school.
The English Language Proficiency Assessments for California, or “ELPAC,” are the tests used to measure how well students understand English when it is not the primary language they speak at home.
Information from the ELPAC tells your child’s teacher about the areas in which your child needs extra support.
This Spring Your Child will take the SUMMATIVE ELPAC Assessment
More About the ELPAC Students in transitional kindergarten through grade twelve, who are classified as English learners, will take the ELPAC Summative Assessment every year until they are reclassified as proficient in English.
Students are tested on their skills in
- listening
- speaking
- reading
- writing
To learn more about the ELPAC, please read the Parent Guide to Understanding the ELPAC, which can be found on the CDE Parent Guide to Understanding the ELPAC Web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ep/documents/elpacparentguide.pdf.
A Really Helpful Resource
A Parent's Guide to the ELPAC
Stephanie Johnson
Yosemite Valley Charter School
Monarch River Academy
Email: steph@inspireschools.org
Phone: 559-289-7069