The 6 Principles for Exemplary Teaching of English Learners®

1. English learners are a diverse group with unique needs and strengths

"English learners (ELs) in the United States represent a wide range of diversity."

Diverse backgrounds: English learners come from various linguistic, cultural, and educational backgrounds. They may be immigrants, refugees, or born in the United States. Their proficiency levels in English and their home languages vary widely.

Unique assets: Each English learner brings valuable linguistic and cultural resources to the classroom. These assets can be leveraged to enhance learning for all students. Teachers should gather information about students' backgrounds, including:

• Home language and literacy skills
• Prior educational experiences
• Cultural knowledge and practices
• Personal interests and motivations

Individualized approach: Understanding the diverse needs and strengths of English learners allows teachers to:

• Tailor instruction to build on students' prior knowledge
• Provide appropriate language support and scaffolding
• Create culturally responsive learning experiences
• Set high expectations based on individual student potential

2. Creating a welcoming environment is crucial for language learning

"Effective teachers recognize that teaching linguistically diverse students is a three-part challenge."

Welcoming atmosphere: A positive and supportive classroom environment reduces anxiety and promotes language learning. Key elements include:

• Multilingual signage and resources
• Culturally diverse materials and displays
• Opportunities for students to share their backgrounds

Reducing language barriers: Teachers can enhance comprehensibility through:

• Clear, patterned language
• Visual supports and gestures
• Scaffolded instructions
• Use of students' home languages as a resource

Promoting interaction: Language develops through use and interaction. Strategies to encourage communication include:

• Collaborative learning structures
• Frequent opportunities for oral practice
• Low-risk environments for language experimentation
• Peer mentoring and support systems

3. High-quality lessons integrate language development and content

"Language learning is difficult and takes a very long time."

Dual objectives: Effective lessons for English learners focus on both language and content goals. This approach:

• Develops academic language proficiency
• Ensures access to grade-level content
• Motivates students through meaningful learning experiences

Scaffolding strategies: Teachers can support language and content learning through:

• Graphic organizers and visual aids
• Sentence frames and word banks
• Modeling and think-alouds
• Multimodal presentations of information

Differentiation: Lessons should be tailored to students' proficiency levels and learning needs:

• Provide multiple entry points for tasks
• Offer tiered assignments and assessments
• Use flexible grouping strategies
• Incorporate students' home languages when beneficial

4. Effective instruction adapts to learners' needs in real-time

"If students are not succeeding, teachers need to reflect on the causes and make adjustments during their lessons."

Ongoing monitoring: Teachers continuously assess student comprehension and engagement during lessons. This involves:

• Frequent comprehension checks
• Observing student responses and interactions
• Analyzing student work and language output

Flexible instruction: Based on student responses, teachers may need to:

• Modify their language input (e.g., simplify, rephrase, elaborate)
• Adjust the pace of instruction
• Provide additional scaffolding or examples
• Reteach concepts using different approaches

Responsive grouping: Teachers can use various grouping strategies to support learners:

• Pair struggling students with more proficient peers
• Create homogeneous groups for targeted instruction
• Use heterogeneous groups for collaborative tasks
• Provide one-on-one support as needed

5. Ongoing assessment guides language development and instruction

"Constant monitoring and assessment, built into daily instruction, will provide the best evidence for language growth."

Formative assessment: Regular, informal assessments help teachers track student progress and inform instruction. Examples include:

• Observation checklists
• Exit tickets
• Quick writes
• Oral language samples

Balanced approach: A combination of assessment types provides a comprehensive view of student growth:

• Informal classroom-based assessments
• Standardized language proficiency tests
• Content-area assessments with appropriate accommodations
• Performance-based assessments (e.g., projects, presentations)

Using assessment data: Teachers should use assessment results to:

• Identify areas of strength and need
• Adjust instruction and pacing
• Group students for targeted support
• Set individual language and content goals
• Communicate progress to students and families

6. Collaboration among educators enhances support for English learners

"No one can know all there is to know about educating diverse learners and, collectively, all of us are smarter than one of us alone."

Shared responsibility: Supporting English learners is a school-wide effort involving:

• ESL/ELD specialists
• Classroom and content teachers
• Special education teachers
• Administrators
• Support staff (e.g., counselors, librarians)

Collaborative practices: Effective collaboration includes:

• Co-planning and co-teaching
• Regular team meetings to discuss student progress
• Sharing of resources and strategies
• Professional learning communities focused on English learner needs

Professional development: Ongoing learning opportunities should be provided for all staff:

• Training on second language acquisition principles
• Workshops on culturally responsive teaching
• Sharing of best practices for English learner instruction
• Opportunities to observe and learn from colleagues

7. Teachers play multiple roles in advocating for English learners

"Teachers of English learners can help by providing a voice for students and their families who have not yet developed their own strong voice to advocate for themselves."

Mentor and counselor: Teachers often serve as trusted adults for English learners, providing:

• Emotional support during cultural transitions
• Guidance on navigating the school system
• Connections to community resources

Advocate: Teachers can promote equity and access for English learners by:

• Ensuring appropriate academic placements and services
• Advocating for inclusive policies and practices
• Promoting multilingualism and cultural diversity
• Supporting families in understanding their rights and options

Resource for colleagues: Experienced teachers of English learners can:

• Provide professional development for staff
• Share strategies for differentiation and scaffolding
• Assist in interpreting assessment data
• Collaborate on curriculum and material development

8. School-wide responsibility is key to English learner success

"Successful schools for English learners have a shared sense of community and responsibility."

Leadership commitment: School and district leaders play a crucial role in:

• Setting high expectations for all students
• Allocating resources for English learner programs
• Creating inclusive school cultures
• Ensuring compliance with legal requirements

Coordinated services: A comprehensive approach involves:

• Clear procedures for identification and assessment
• Well-designed language support programs
• Integration of language development across content areas
• Access to special services (e.g., gifted education, special education)

Family and community engagement: Schools should actively involve families and communities by:

• Providing interpretation and translation services
• Offering parent education programs
• Creating culturally responsive family events
• Partnering with community organizations

Data-driven decision making: Schools should regularly analyze data to:

• Monitor English learner progress and program effectiveness
• Identify areas for improvement
• Allocate resources based on student needs
• Celebrate successes and share best practices

Last updated: August 11, 2024