Classroom Instruction that Works with English Language Learners.Classroom Instruction that Works with English Language English language, member of the West Germanic group of the Germanic subfamily of the Indo-European family of languages (see Germanic languages). Spoken by about 470 million people throughout the world, English is the official language of about 45 nations. Learners By Jane D. Hill & Kathleen M. Flynn Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, or ASCD, is a membership-based nonprofit organization founded in 1943. It has more than 175,000 members in 135 countries, including superintendents, supervisors, principals, teachers, professors of education, and , 2006 A recent Pew Hispanic Center Report (2006) indicates English Language Learners (ELLs) are represented in every state. Over the last ten years this increase has accounted for an increase of ELL students by as much as 400% in some states. The number of ELLs has teachers and preservice educational institutions grappling with meeting the unique needs of ELL students. Institutions must equip teachers with strategies and institute programs that current legislation requires to be instructional and research based. Educational programs must not only address improving the academic achievement of students, but they must also increase the English language proficiency of a large number of students. Addressing academic needs and English language development needs is a constant challenge for current teachers and institutions preparing teachers for the workforce. In a recent study that dealt with the needs of teachers, one educator stated "Teaching ELL students is hard work, not only are you teaching academic content you are also teaching students English and you are trying to meet the needs of English only students too!" (Luna, 2005). The challenge of meeting the educational as well as linguistic needs of ELL students is a daunting daunt tr.v. daunt·ed, daunt·ing, daunts To abate the courage of; discourage. See Synonyms at dismay. [Middle English daunten, from Old French danter, from Latin task. Classroom Instruction that Works with English Language Learners is a treasure trove TREASURE TROVE. Found treasure. 2. This name is given to such money or coin, gold, silver, plate, or bullion, which having been hidden or concealed in the earth or other private place, so long that its owner is unknown, has been discovered by accident. of useful, practical strategies based on current research and proven classroom activities. My only caution in reviewing the piece is not to be fooled by the diminutive di·min·u·tive adj. 1. Extremely small in size; tiny. See Synonyms at small. 2. Grammar Of or being a suffix that indicates smallness or, by semantic extension, qualities such as youth, familiarity, affection, or size of the book. Classroom Instruction that Works with English Language Learners is a comprehensive review of research based strategies that are relevant and applicable to ELL students irrespective of irrespective of prep. Without consideration of; regardless of. irrespective of preposition despite their grade and ability levels. The book is based on efforts that are grounded in research, including Classroom Instruction that Works (Marazano, Pickering, & Pollock, 2001) as well as A Handbook for Classroom Instruction that Works (Marzano, Norford, Paynter, Pickering, & Gaddy, 2001). The research upon which the books are based consisted of a review of over 30 years of data and 100 studies of instructional strategies. The findings identified nine categories of instructional strategies that have proven to increase student achievement and, therefore are deemed "exceptionally effective." The nine categories include: (1) setting objectives and providing feedback, (2) using nonlinguistic representations, (3) implementing cues, questions and advance organizers, (4) utilizing cooperative learning cooperative learning Education theory A student-centered teaching strategy in which heterogeneous groups of students work to achieve a common academic goal–eg, completing a case study or a evaluating a QC problem. See Problem-based learning, Socratic method. , (5) summarizing and note taking, (6) providing homework and practice, (7) reinforcing effort and providing recognition, (8) generating and testing hypothesis, and (9) identifying similarities and differences. In Classroom Instruction that Works with English Language Learners, Jane D. Hill and Kathleen M. Flynn studied the nine strategies and conducted additional research to investigate how and if these strategies could be modified to effectively promote the academic achievement and the English language development of ELL students. The result of their efforts is a teacher friendly manual, which offers research-based strategies for meeting the challenge of teaching in diversely populated pop·u·late tr.v. pop·u·lat·ed, pop·u·lat·ing, pop·u·lates 1. To supply with inhabitants, as by colonization; people. 2. classrooms. The reader is provided with detailed information, graphic organizers, matrices, and explanations that scaffold scaffold Temporary platform used to elevate and support workers and materials during work on a structure or machine. It consists of one or more wooden planks and is supported by either a timber or a tubular steel or aluminum frame; bamboo is used in parts of Asia. information, which appropriately address the unique requirements for meeting the needs of ELLs. From my perspective as an assistant superintendent Assistant Superintendent, or Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), was a rank used by police forces in the British Empire. It was usually the lowest rank that could be held by a European officer, most of whom joined the police at this rank. of educational services, the book reflected the necessary combination of research-based instructional strategies and activity based illustrations useful for staff development and round table discussions. In my position as a university instructor, the book supplied vivid descriptions of student and teacher interactions presented in an activity based format. These provide examples that can be easily modified and replicated for a variety of students and subject areas. Finally, from my perspective as a researcher, it was evident the premise of the book was grounded in theory and based on proven research-based strategies. The book's strengths include the manner in which the content readily lends itself to meeting the needs of busy practioners. The book is a refreshing review for veteran teachers and an excellent resource for those new to the field. The reader is presented with clarifying terms such as, "sheltered instruction Sheltered instruction is an approach to teaching English language learners which integrates language and content instruction. The dual goals of sheltered instruction are:
adj. 1. Taking place or existing before production: preproduction planning. 2. , early production, speech emergence, intermediate fluency, and advanced fluency levels. Strategies are presented in terms of lesson examples dealing with language arts language arts pl.n. The subjects, including reading, spelling, and composition, aimed at developing reading and writing skills, usually taught in elementary and secondary school. , mathematics, science, and social studies. The lessons are presented in a teacher friendly format addressing English-only students as well as ELL students regardless of their various levels of English fluency. Strategies are presented in a variety of formats including annotated bullets, hands-on activities, and step-by-step questioning guides such as "reciprocal teaching Reciprocal Teaching is a remedial reading instructional technique which applies a problem-solving heuristic to the process of reading comprehension, thereby promoting thinking while reading (Alfassi, 2004). strategies," which require the teacher to prepare lessons that encourage students to summarize, question, clarify, and predict information. As a district administrator responsible for ELL student programs and as a preservice teacher educator, I would highly recommend this book as a useful tool for meeting the needs of ELL students, teachers and researchers. The book is similar to a guide book in that it provides detailed descriptions of what class activities should look like and step-by-step instructions for executing successful lessons in the classroom. In addition, the appendices offer illustrations and supporting text for a variety of graphic organizers, summary frames including descriptions and supporting questions, and an example of a three year parent and community involvement plan. For those interested in research the resource pages offer more than 70 articles and books written by respected educational and ELL authors. Classroom Instruction that Works with English Language Learners should be in the libraries of all those who are dedicated to improving the academic achievement of ELLs. Christina Luna Temple City Unified School District Temple City Unified School District is the governing public school system of Temple City, California, in the West San Gabriel Valley. Encompassing approximately four square miles, the District includes within its boundaries most of the incorporated city of Temple City, small areas of Christina Luna is assistant superindent with the Temple City Unified School District, Temple City, California Temple City is a city in Los Angeles County, California. The population was 33,377 at the 2000 census. Temple City is part of a cluster of cities (along with Arcadia, Rosemead, Monterey Park, San Marino, and San Gabriel) in the west San Gabriel Valley with a large Asian . |
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