ELL - English Language Learners
WHAT IS ELL?
Throughout the history of education many different terms have been used to describe or characterize children whose second language is English. For example, students with Limited English Proficiency (LEPs), students for whom English is a Second Language (ESLs), Second Language Learners (SLLs), English as an Additional Language (EAL).
Currently educators refer to these children as English Language Learners (ELLs). This shift in language represents a more accurate reflection of the process of language acquisition.
HOW WE WORK WITH ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS:
At JPS we do not withdraw children from classes but rather use various inclusion models to aid English Language Learning. These models include:
• Team teaching – both teachers work together during whole-class teaching to support modeling, demonstration and strategies for engaging all pupils in dialogue and discussion;
• Observation – either teacher acts as an observer in the whole-class context with an agreed focus while the other teacher maintains an interactive role, encouraging, explaining or reinforcing. The observation focus might also be on assessing the impact of particular teaching strategies by observing the pupils’ responses;
• Working with target groups – the support teacher, teaching assistant and/or class teacher focuses support on a specific group of pupils during the main part of the lesson or in order to provide preparatory teaching to support children in better accessing a lesson;
• One-to-one support – the ELL/class teacher or teaching assistant may, on occasions when specific difficulties and misconceptions arise, need to provide individual support either before or during the main lesson;
• Resource provision and development – collecting, suggesting, modifying or designing specific resources to support the learning or curriculum access needs of bilingual pupils;
• Monitoring progress of bilingual learners.
HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUR HOME LANGUAGE?
Your child will grow up to be bilingual and this has many advantages:
• Learning more than one language is good for the brain. Bilingual children develop better thinking skills and get higher marks in intelligence tests.
• If their first language is strong, they will find it much easier to learn English and cope with their schoolwork.
• Your children will continue to learn more about and appreciate their culture through their language. They will be able to converse with grandparents, elders and other people from their linguistic background.
Learning a new language can be tiring and stressful. Your child needs to come home, relax and enjoy the security and comfort of being able to converse in the home language.
Encourage your child to take books in the home language to school. These books can be read during 'quiet reading' time.
USEFUL WEBSITES:
http://www.eslkidstuff.com/MembersMenu.htm
http://www.english-4kids.com/
http://www.english-daily.com/
http://www.welcometoenglishandfun.com/
http://www.rong-chang.com/
http://www.englishclub.com/
http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/learning/supporting-children/english_as_additional_language/ealsresources/eals-websites.htm
http://www.shambles.net/pages/staff/EAL_ESL/
If, while looking at the web you find any other useful websites that can be added to this website please can you email the URL to robyn.b_jps@gemsedu.com
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