ESL Instructional News
April 2017
Deeper Learning for English Learners (ELs)
Did you know that observations by Nystrand (2006) in middle and high school classrooms found that the average whole class discussion lasted between 14 to 52 seconds per class?(Fisher, Frey & Hattie, 2016) At the same time, one of the four What Works Clearinghouse's recommendations for ELs is that teachers integrate oral and written English language instruction into content area teaching. Finally, Hattie's visible learning study showed that the effect size on student learning for classroom discussion was .82 (large effect). Deepening learning for ELs needs to include opportunities for students to discuss and question the content being taught.
So where do we begin? The key word is scaffolding. In the video below, you will see a teacher that uses accountable talk stems to scaffold student learning in order to have respectful, productive academic discussion:
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/speaking-respectfully-nea
And here's a link to some accountable talk cards for elementary and secondary:
Try it. You may be surprised how much you and your students enjoy classroom conversations and how much they learn!
Fisher, D., Frey, N., Hattie, J. (2016) Visible learning for literacy: Implementing the practices that work best to accelerate student learning. Thousand Oaks, CA Corwin
Nystrand, M. (2006). Research on the role of classroom discourse as it affects reading
comprehension. Research in the Teaching of English, 40, 293-412
WIDA 2017 ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 Score Changes
WIDA ACCESS 2.0 Focus on Instruction
EL Resources for Schools
- Stanford Online is offering an online course titled, Supporting English Learners: Resources for Leaders. The intended audience includes school administrators, EL administrators, and EL teachers. There are no prerequisites.The course begins April 24, and it is self-paced.
- 25 Kid and Young Adult Books that Lift Up Immigrant Voices
- New York City's English Learners Often Struggle to Graduate, but Here's How Some Schools Buck That Trend
Summer Professional Learning for Bilingual Associate Instructors (BAIs)
Contact Information
ESL Specialist
Email: jayne.kraemer@jefferson.kyschools.us
Location: 1325 Bluegrass Avenue, Louisville, KY 40215, United States
Phone: 502-485-6382
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jcpsesl/
Twitter: @jaynekraemer