Teaching ESL Students

What You Need to Know

What is ELL

• The state of Tennessee defines ELL students as: – Those whose native language is other than

English and whose difficulty in speaking, reading, writing, or understanding the English language is an obstacle in classrooms where English is the only language of instruction.

What’s in a Name?

• ESL – English as a Second Language• ELL – English Language Learner• ESOL – English as a Second or Other Language• ELD – English Language Development• LEP – Limited English Proficiency• FEP – Fluent English Proficient

Identifying ELL Students

• The way teachers and administrators can identify ELL students is by administering the Home Survey with the following questions:

• What is the first language your child learned to speak?

• What language does your child speak most often outside of school?

• What language does your child speak most often inside the home?

Assessment – Identifying current ESL Level

• Students must be given the CELLA (Comprehensive English Language Assessment) to identify their current ELL level.

• Levels are determined by scores on the CELLA test.

• There are three areas of assessment:

• 1. Oral/Speaking& Listening

• 2. Reading

• 3. Writing

Placement based on scores (Grades K – 2)

CELLA CUT SCORES Grades K Grades 1 Grades 2Form A Form A Form A

Oral Skills Advanced (A) 666 or above 692 or above 704 or aboveIntermediate - High Intermediate (HI) 636 - 665 664 - 691 672 - 703Beginning - Advanced Beginning 635 or below 663 or below 671 or below

Reading Advanced (A) 617 or above 701 or above 709 or aboveIntermediate - High Intermediate (HI) 544 - 616 645 - 700 665 - 708Beginning - Advanced Beginning (AB) 543 or below 644 or below 664 or below

Writing Advanced (A) 668 or above 705 or above 709 or aboveIntermediate - High Intermediate (HI) 636 - 667 677 - 704 686 - 708Beginning - Advanced Beginning (AB) 635 or below 676 or below 685 or below

Placement Continued (Grades 3 - 5)Grades 3 Grade 4 Grade 5Form B Form B Form B

Oral Skills Advanced (A) 716 or above 723 or above 724 or aboveIntermediate - High Intermediate (HI) 687 - 715 688 - 722 691 - 723Beginning - Advanced Beginning (AB) 686 or below 687 or below 690 or below

Reading Advanced (A) 715 or above 721 or above 727 or aboveIntermediate - High Intermediate (HI) 696 - 714 708 - 720 711 - 726Beginning - Advanced Beginning (AB) 695 or below 707 or below 710 or belowBeginning Took Form A Took Form A Took Form A

Writing Advanced (A) 718 or above 723 or above 727 or aboveIntermediate - High Intermediate (HI) 684 - 717 700 - 722 705 - 726Beginning - Advanced Beginning (AB) 683 or below 699 or below 704 or belowBeginning Took Form A Took Form A Took Form A

Placement Continued (Grades 6 – 8) Grades 6 Grade 7 Grade 8Form C Form C Form C

Oral Skills Advanced (A) 723 or above 727 or above 732 or aboveIntermediate - High Intermediate (HI) 681 - 722 684 - 726 686 - 731Beginning - Advanced Beginning (AB) 680 or below 683 or below 685 or below

Reading Advanced (A) 741 or above 747 or above 751 or aboveIntermediate - High Intermediate (HI) 724 - 740 730 - 746 735 - 750Beginning - Advanced Beginning (AB) 723 or below 729 or below 734 or belowBeginning Took Form A or B Took Form A or B Took Form A or B

Writing Advanced (A) 740 or above 743 or above 745 or aboveIntermediate - High Intermediate (HI) 788 - 739 721 - 742 722 - 744Beginning - Advanced Beginning (AB) 717 or below 720 or below 721 or belowBeginning Took Form A or B Took Form A or B Took Form A or B

Placement Continued (9 – 12)Grades 9 - 12Form D

Oral Skills Advanced (A) 739 or aboveIntermediate - High Intermediate (HI) 684 - 739High Beginner 683 or below

Reading Advanced (A) 761 or aboveIntermediate - High Intermediate (HI) 750 - 760High Beginner 749 or belowBeginner Took Form A, B, C

Writing Advanced (A) 738 or aboveIntermediate - High Intermediate (HI) 705 - 737High Beginner 704 or belowBeginner Took Form A, B, C

Yearly ESL Testing with ELDA

• Every ESL student must be tested every year to establish ESL level, growth, and yearly progress.

• Tennessee State currently uses the ELDA to determine students reading, writing, listening, and speaking level for ESL students.

• Testing out of ESL is determined the ELDA results, and two other sources of documentation proving students proficiency.

• Students must score a 4 to be considered eligible for promotion with two additional sources.

• If a score of a 5 is obtained students may exit with confirmations of grade level proficiency with one other source of documentation.

What is T1 and T2

• When a student has passed the ELDA with a 4 or 5 they are classified as T1 and exit the ESL program to be monitored by the district for the first year of transition.

• A T2 is if the student is successful for the year as a T1 the district must continue to monitor them for one more school year.

• When a T2 is successful in the regular classroom without ESL support he/she can be reclassified as a FEP or LEP.

• T1 and T2 students are not entitled to any accommodations/modifications for testing purposes

Retention Issues

ELL students must not be retained in grade level because of their language skills.

Alternatives to Retention:1. Remedial before - and after – School programs

2. Tutoring3. Summer school

4. Instructional Aids, and5. Peer tutoring

Accommodation & Modifications

Accommodatin for ELL Students on Standardized Tests (see ESL guide for more specific instruction).

Accommodations

Extended Time

Bilingual Dictionary

Read Aloud Internal Test Instructions in English

Read Aloud Internal Test

Items in English

Modifications for ELL Students in Curriculum

Modifications

Bilingual Dictionary

Extra Time(assignments/tests)

Reduce Iength of

assignments

Tutoring Pull-out/Peer

Role of the Teacher

• Become a student of culture

• Be sensitive to cultural differences

• Promote a multicultural point of view

• Allow students to become students of culture

Classroom Support

• Classroom support is crucial for the success of the ELL student.

• Simple and easy to do activities that offer support could include the following

• Curriculum material that reflect a variety of cultural groups

• Lessons that address different learning styles and modalities

• Visual aides and bilingual resources

• Role modeling/peer grouping

Methods of instruction

• Interactive lessons with hands on activities and cooperative learning

• Encouragement of creativity and discovery

• Versatility and flexibility• Enhancement and support

of the mainstream curriculum

• Opportunities for all students to feel successful

Parents of ELL students

The parents of ELL students need support to:

• Understand how U.S. school system works

• Understand how local school districts and schools operate

• What is expected of them by schools, districts, and personnel

• Participate in their child’s education

Things to Remember

• English is not an easy language to learn

• Use a variety of methods and strategies to support a positive learning environment

• Be sensitive to cultural differences

• Provide consistency in classroom regulations and expectations

Resources

• www.educationworld.com• www.tesol.org• www.kumc.edu/diversity/• www.englishclub.com• www.elearningguild.com/• http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/esl/eslstud

ent.html

Bibliography

• Tennessee English as a Second Language Program Guide (2003)

• State of Tennessee Department of Education English as a Second Language (ESL) Curriculum Standards (retrieved January 2005)