Recent Posts
Revolutionizing ESL Education: A Transformative Wish-list for Secondary Levels
Navigating the landscape of secondary level ESL education, my wish-list is anchored in a vision of comprehensive support that empowers students at every stage of their language acquisition journey. At the top of my list is the dream of a dedicated one-year Newcomer program, a foundation that focuses on honing essential skills such as reading, grammar, and speaking. This initial year serves as a linguistic springboard, ensuring students are equipped with the language proficiency needed to thrive in subsequent academic endeavors.
Teaching in Fantasyland
Entering and emerging level adolescent Ells need explicit English language instruction. They are not going to learn my osmosis. But here we are - in Pretend Mode. Everyone is pretending. We are all living in Fantasyland. However, the ones who are suffering are students with hopes and dreams. Unlike Disney World, our Pretend World is harming real people.
Unlocking Language: Engaging Vocabulary Activities for English Language Learners
Learning a new language can be an exhilarating journey, but it's no secret that building a rich vocabulary is a crucial stepping stone on this path. For English language learners (ELLs), the process of acquiring new words can be both challenging and rewarding. In this blog, we'll explore various vocabulary activities tailored to engage ELLs and accelerate their language acquisition.
Enhance Your ESL Instruction: Top 6 Essential Tools and Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners
Do you ever wonder what it takes to be a successful ESL ESOL teacher? What are the essential items that can help make your classroom run more smoothly? As a 14-year veteran of teaching English Language Learners, I’m here to share with you the top six things I can’t live without. From providing students a fun learning environment to engaging activities, these items are key to my teaching success.
Empowering Teen English Language Learners: 5 Strategies for Effective Teaching
Teaching English to teenagers, especially those who are English language learners (ELLs), can be a rewarding and impactful experience. As educators, we have the privilege to shape young minds and help students build essential language skills that will pave the way for their academic and personal success. In this blog, we will explore key strategies and best practices to effectively teach teenage ELLs, fostering an environment that supports their linguistic development and boosts their confidence in using English.
Teacher Summer
This has been a particularly contentious end of school year season. Our contract expired last year. Our union (United Federation of Teachers) has been in negotiations with the city. Rumors abounded. The mayor will refuse to negotiate a fair contract, our healthcare will change, they’ll offer 0% raises, etc.
Testing Season: I Have Opinions!
Each year, I struggle to balance my teacher moral compass with administering test prep lessons. This is particularly consequential for the English Language Learners because if they “pass out” they are not entitled to any support services. I have students who can barely put a sentence together yet are not entitled to any additional English language support. In New York State, students who score beyond the high beginner level are not entitled to direct English language instruction. This is ludicrous.
Bucket List #1 Done
I usually stay home during breaks. Boring me! This spring break I decided to fulfill one of my dreams and visit Italy. I have a passion for all that is ancient and have had a visit to Pompeii on my mind for a long time.
Three Stages of a Newcomer English Language Learner
We hear so much about immigration these days. No matter what we feel about our current immigration policies, we all need to remember that there are children caught in the middle. As a teacher of adolescent English Language Learners, I would like to share my experience in working with middle and high school ESL students. For the sake of simplicity, I divided the newcomer years into three stages. Please remember that each child is different and time-frames may vary.
Teaching Academic Vocabulary - An Actual Teacher’s Experience
I have a bone to pick with the phrase “research shows.” Whenever I see this phrase, it always brings me back to a quote popularized by Mark Twain - "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.” I think of this quote every time I’m forced to watch a rehearsed video during PD depicting a class of ten kids having an engaging conversation about a vocabulary word. That’s great, but what about the real world?
Fall - My Second Favorite Season
My favorite holiday happens to be in the fall. Halloween is my favorite holiday because it is purely for fun. There is no family pressure on Halloween. I don’t have to cook anything. I don’t have to buy gifts. I don’t even have to make phone calls! Pure bliss.
Labor of Love
I have an obsession with the ancient world. I particularly am drawn to Ancient Rome. I don’t know why. Perhaps I was Emperor Ceaser in a past life.
Hello Spring!
It’s been a long winter. I say that every year. It seems the older I get, the longer the winter. I saw my first Robin a couple of weeks ago. It always puts a smile on my face when I see my namesake for the first time.
Vocabulary BINGO
Vocabulary BINGO is hands-down the favorite ESL activity in my beginner level ESL class. I get so many requests for BINGO you would think I’m running a geriatric facility.
I think one reason for my Vocabulary BINGO’S popularity is that everyone can do it, even a new student who has no or very limited English. Anyone can win. It puts everyone on a level playing field. It’s fun, engaging, easy to learn, and enhances vocabulary development. What more could one ask?
Teachers are Thankful for a Day Off
I always struggled with with what to teach for Thanksgiving. It’s such an American holiday. I want my students to learn the history behind the holiday, as well as the cultural significance. I searched far an wide for resources which would accomplish these learning goals. However, as you have probably already guessed, I couldn’t find anything. So, as usual, I decided to create my own.
Would you rather talk all period or have your students do the talking?
I’m always trying to invent new ways to get my students talking. Many English Language Learners are reluctant to speak because they have an accent or they think people will make fun of them. One of the ways to get my students more comfortable speaking is by having them engage in a fun activity with a small group.
Teachers Love Social Studies
One of the things teachers struggle with is teaching content to English Language Learners while at the same time teaching language. A common question from my colleagues is how do they support their ESL students. Teachers want to do the best they can for their students. I get it. This is why I created my Picture Dictionary in the Content Area - World History resources.
Back to School
At the end of the ESL About Me project, students at all levels of English feel successful … and I have a formative assessment of what my ESL students know and can do as well as some great bulletin board displays. Win! Win!
Hello ESL Newcomers!
Whether you’re an ESL or content teacher, the Newcomer Pack will be your go-to resource for your older elementary to high-school level beginner level English Language Learners. It is or me. I always have a packet handy for that middle of the year admit or the ESL student who needs extra support. It’s also great for a quick assessment, fast finishers, or bell-ringers. Your admin will be impressed with your amazing differentiation abilities!