Teacher Discussion Forums

It is that time of year again when teachers are compiling their data and making decisions about which students will pass to the next grade level and which students will need to be retained. When it comes to making that decision for ELLs the topic sometimes gets confusing. Some schools have policies ...

I don't think you should sacrifice exposing your ELLs to the standardized format of testing. Without even some exposure to standardized testing formats the students could be left to fend for themselves when they are expected to perform on the tests. I know because I have experienced this myself. You...

After reviewing information on rate of delivery issues when teaching listening, I had a question with regard to Jack Richards (1983) points." One of his points was that the number and length of pauses used by a speaker are more crucial to listening comprehension than speed". When teaching listening ...

Teaching speaking can be a challenge for young students no matter what the students' proficiency level. Young students (around age 5,6,7) tend to be quiet rather than be wrong in class. Younger students tend to open up more and let their guard down when they are involved in tasks that seem "playful"...

With all the advances in educational theories, technology, etc. why are the ELLs still expected to take the same standardized exams as their peers with limited accommodations? I know that these tests play an important role in our educational system. Among other things they dictate funding and give a...

Try having learning centers in your class. When you have different proficiencies in the same room, centers can work well. For example you can have a writing center which is leveled for the students. The students can go to that center and have an activity that is specified for their level( i.e., stud...

Keeping up with the latest technology is a full time job. If your school has a good technology leader on staff you will find that person most helpful. Younger studente(Elem. Ed.) love to work on the computers. The students see it as a treat! Administration needs to be informed of the advantages tech...

Group work can be tricky, especially if the students are on different proficiency and ability levels. I had my students work in centers in the beginning of the year in small groups. The small group seemed to give the less confident students the momentum to try. I found that the students who struggle...

With the vast array of web sites and programs available today, I think it is almost impossible to have an interesting class without at least some computer interaction for students. I have found that the students are extremely motivated and universally interested (regardless of L1) in computers and c...

As I am studying the proven techniques that work best with ELLs, I realized that I will have to make a significant changes in my teaching style. I have taught both regular education and special education and both have required a good amount of teacher directed, manipulative style teaching. I truly f...

This is a rough time of year for teachers. I think it is so unfair that our ESL students are expected to take and pass the state test with little more than a dictionary to help the student translate. The students hardly know the language. In the spring they are expected to take and demonstrate profi...

I have been teaching for many years. Most of my experience is at the early el. ed. level(K,Gr.1 & 2). I also have many years teaching special ed. experience. I have used many reading programs, text series, etc. Many years ago the school where I was working employed a Whole Language reading series. T...

After many years of teaching I have found that using rewards (stickers, puzzles etc) to motivate students has worked wonders, in most cases. I am concerned with knowing when and how to impliment a reward system with in my ESL class. I want my students to have a desire to learn english without a rewa...

I know that when teaching new students of ESL,a quiet time ( time when the student is quiet and observing) is to be expected. Of course I realize that this time of observation and possibly fear and anxiety varies from student to student. In the age of state testing and demanding curriculium is there...