The strategies listed below are designed for all educators working with
ESL students. The strategies focus on taking students' language learning needs into
consideration in all assignments, activities and assessments by providing options that
allow the use of a variety of modes of communication (listening, speaking, reading and
writing) and by providing appropriate feedback that clearly addresses both issues of
content attainment and language proficiency development.
Maintain High Standards and Expectations
-- Teachers maintain high standards and demonstrate high achievement expectations for all
ethnically, culturally and linguistically diverse students to include challenging
curricula.
Incorporate the Home Culture
-- Teachers lean about their students' home-community culture to better comprehend
students' behavior in and out of the classroom.
Encourage Active Participation of Parents
or Guardians -- Teachers inform parents of the importance of talking with
their children (in the home language or English), taking the time to read to them (in
their home language or English), sharing oral histories and traditional folktales,
labeling objects and events around the home.
Capitalize on Students' Backgrounds
-- Teachers recognize that learning is strongly influenced by students' cultural
backgrounds. Although students differ in their knowledge of oral and written language,
research demonstrates that all children come to school with background experience that
teachers can capitalize on during the learning process.
Use Culturally relevant Curriculum
Materials -- Teachers use culturally relevant curriculum and instructional
materials that recognize, incorporate and accurately reflect students' racial heritage(s)
and the contributions of various ethnic groups.
Identify and Dispel Stereotypes
-- Teachers use language and instructional resources that are non-sexist, non-racists and
non-ethnocentric. When stereotypes are presented in lectures, books or texts, teachers
help students to evaluate the materials and be aware of the stereotypes present.
Create Culturally Compatible Learning
Environments -- Teachers recognize the influence of students' learning
styles, culture and native language in the ways they learn and use language.
Use Cooperative Learning
-- Teachers use cooperative learning approaches that increase the likelihood of positive
attitudes and behaviors toward classmates of different backgrounds. Methods that include
group goals and individual accountability are the most effective.
Capitalize on Students' Culture, Language
and Experiences -- Teachers construct lessons in ways consistent with
students' home-community culture(s) and language to take advantage of students' cognitive
experiences and to allow students opportunities to engage in behaviors conducive to
achievement.
Incorporate Dual Language Strategies
-- Teachers encourage use of dual languages in the classroom.
Use Integrated, Holistic Approaches
-- Teachers use integrated, holistic approaches to language experiences for
second-language learners instead of rote drill and practice. Students practice English in
oral and written forms in ways that are non-threatening, have a real purpose and are
enjoyable.
Use Subject Matter to Teach Language
-- Teachers use subject matter, rather than specific linguistic skill exercises, to teach
English to students with limited proficiency in English.
Practice English by Solving Problems in
Cooperative Groups -- Teachers organize classrooms into flexible,
heterogeneous, cooperative learning groups composed of native and non-native speakers of
English in order to give language0-minority and limited English proficient students
opportunities to practice English in problem-solving situations.
Use Cross-Age and Peer Tutoring
-- Teachers us peer tutoring, including cross-age tutoring, to engage English- speaking
and limited English-proficient students in conversations that lead to enhanced literacy
and language acquisition.
Respect Community Language Norms
-- Teachers demonstrate respect for each student's language and do not prevent bilingual
students from alternating between English and their native language while they work
together.
Use Thematic, Interdisciplinary Teaching
-- Teachers integrate the learning of subject matter and the learning of a second language
by providing learning opportunities related to a theme.
Use Technology to Enhance Language
Learning -- Teachers use technology as appropriate to enhance instruction
and as a springboard for discussion and development of academic language skills as well as
basic interpersonal communication skills.
