Improving the Speaking Skills of English Language Learners

Speaking in a new language can be a frightening experience.  English Language Learners often feel embarrassed that they will make mistakes or are nervous about being misunderstood. This can result in newcomers going through a silent period (when they do not speak but are learning a large amount of language).  Even ELLs that have a …

Using Would You Rather Questions with English Language Learners

Would You Rather Questions are fun ways for students to practice speaking and writing. Here are some ideas for using them with your English Language Learners. Speaking Warm Up When meeting with a small group of students read a Would You Rather Question. Each student answers the question.  Students can then tell why, which allows …

Assessing ESOL students & Changes to WIDA scoring

Throughout the school year I am constantly assessing my ESOL students. Often this is through short formative assessments that are integrated into activities we are already doing. Using Rubrics for quick assessments To get a sense of their speaking level I will sometimes take out the WIDA speaking rubric and simply listen to students conversations …

Integrating Speaking and Writing

My ESOL students need a large amount of practice with speaking and writing. Writing in particular is often a difficult task for them.  Some of them have a hard time generating ideas, others get bogged down with the mechanics of writing (especially spelling).  We have also been working this year on adding details to their …

Vocabulary Building File Folder Games

I have some newcomers that I just started working with.  They love games so I came up with some file folder games to help them practice basic vocabulary.  The students are at two different levels: some are able to read the others has some basic letter sound knowledge.  All have low expressive vocabulary. We are practicing nouns …