SIOP
Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol
Comprehensible Input
People do not "pick up" language only from exposure to it. You could be around a speaker of Vietnamese for hours and not understand anything that was said. A SIOP teacher makes communication more comprehensible by consciously using a variety of techniques to make sure that their communications are understood by their ESL students.
Comprehensible Input | Stephen Krashen
Appropriate Speech
When teaching, it is important to apply a rate of speech that matches the students' proficiency levels - slow down and enunciate. It is helpful to the ESL students if you avoid idioms. Use paraphrasing and repetition when needed. Simple sentence structures are also more easily understood by ESL students.
Explanation of Academic Tasks
It is helpful to present instructions step-by-step with demonstrations. Writing the oral directions on the board and asking students to repeat them in their own words to a partner can be beneficial.
Use a Variety of Techniques
There are numerous ways to make sure that the content you are teaching is understood by English Language Learners. Choose techniques that are appropriate for each day's learning, adapting lessons according to the language needs of each student.
Scaffolding Techniques
Vocabulary Scaffolding
- preteach key words - with visuals when possible
- make sure students interact with the new vocabulary many times
- use multiple modalities to remember the words
- have students use vocabulary notebooks for personal reference
- use graphic organizers and study guides
Verbal Scaffolding
- paraphrase - restate student responses to model correct English usage
- think-aloud - say out loud what you are doing as you use a learning strategy
- emphasize contextual definitions - restate a term by giving a context or definition Ex. Aborigines, the native people of Australia, lived in the bush regions.
Procedural Scaffolding
- model multiple times
- use gestures
- use hands-on activities
- demonstrate processes
- provide frequent student speaking and writing opportunities with teams and/or partners
- use technology - Smartboards, laptops, iPads, presentation programs, apps, etc.
- small group instruction
- use pictures, or real objects