"So many things make learning English difficult and confusing. Its grammar structure, its spelling, meanings and rules that contradict existing rules are difficult to master" (DayTranslations, 2018).
Working with ELL students is new for me. This school year when I learned that I would have three students in my classroom that were in the ESL program, I automatically grew anxious. I thought to myself, how much English do they know? Should I label everything in my room? Each child is different, which means that each level of support is different. One thing that stays the same is fact that we should assist students with the English language and vocabulary.
"Research shows that students need to interact with a word multiple times and in multiple ways in order to master that word in incorporate it into their vocabulary. Additionally, ELLs need more explicit instruction in vocabulary- especially academic vocabulary- through predictable routines and activities" (Brown University). This week, I learned about multiple vocabulary teaching methods and games. The one that I would like to highlight is the Five-Day Vocabulary.
For this method/protocol, you would pick five-ten words from your current academic unit and apply them. Students should define the word in their own language, use it in proper context, provide figurative language, use non linguistic representation, explore potential homo(phone/graphs) and other higher level thinking options. The protocol states that you focus on one target per day. This slow, continuous routine will allow students to learn the definitions of a word and understand how to use it in their every day vocabulary.
There are multiple templates that you can download for this protocol (see below), but, vocabulary sites, such as Spelling City, have these types of practices embedded. I also am a Seesaw Ambassador, so I could upload a template onto an activity that would be reused weekly. Paper and pencil activities can easily be uploaded onto technology, allowing students to practice necessary skills and follow technology standards.
I am looking forward to sharing another educational ESL strategy with you next week!
TPT Example: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Five-Day-Vocabulary-A-Vocabulary-Learning-Protocol-5226842
Resources
Brown University. (n.d.). Brown University. Retrieved June 2, 2020, from https://www.brown.edu/academics/education-alliance/teaching-diverse-learners/vocabulary-development
Day Translations. (2019, August 6). Why Learning English is Difficult. Retrieved June 2, 2020, from https://www.daytranslations.com/blog/learning-english-hard/#:~:text=So many things make learning,rules are difficult to master.&text=Learning English is definitely challenging,difficult to learn than English.
WeAreTeachers Staff on November 29, 2017 .contest-social .share-links svg. (2017, November 30). 11 Vocab Games to Make the Learning Stick. Retrieved June 2, 2020, from https://www.weareteachers.com/11-vocab-review-games-to-make-the-learning-stick/
Brown University. (n.d.). Brown University. Retrieved June 2, 2020, from https://www.brown.edu/academics/education-alliance/teaching-diverse-learners/vocabulary-development
Day Translations. (2019, August 6). Why Learning English is Difficult. Retrieved June 2, 2020, from https://www.daytranslations.com/blog/learning-english-hard/#:~:text=So many things make learning,rules are difficult to master.&text=Learning English is definitely challenging,difficult to learn than English.
WeAreTeachers Staff on November 29, 2017 .contest-social .share-links svg. (2017, November 30). 11 Vocab Games to Make the Learning Stick. Retrieved June 2, 2020, from https://www.weareteachers.com/11-vocab-review-games-to-make-the-learning-stick/
Brown University. (n.d.). Brown University. Retrieved June 2, 2020, from https://www.brown.edu/academics/education-alliance/teaching-diverse-learners/vocabulary-developmentDay Translations. (2019, August 6). Why Learning English is Difficult. Retrieved June 2, 2020, from https://www.daytranslations.com/blog/learning-english-hard/#:~:text=So many things make learning,rules are difficult to master.&text=Learning English is definitely challenging,difficult to learn than English.
WeAreTeachers Staff on November 29, 2017 .contest-social .share-links svg. (2017, November 30). 11 Vocab Games to Make the Learning Stick. Retrieved June 2, 2020, from https://www.weareteachers.com/11-vocab-review-games-to-make-the-learning-stick/
I really like the Five-Day Vocabulary method that you shared in this post. I really like this method requires you to pick terms that are relevant to the content being taught. Sometimes I feel like we, as teachers, just go over the vocabulary word quickly and move on and expect the students to fully understand the vocabulary word. ESL students absolutely need additional time to learn and fully understand the word.
ReplyDeleteWhen I taught Elementary I too was very nervous about the ESL students. But, you are correct, each of them are different and are on different levels. Pictures to go with the words are very helpful.
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