English Language Learners

With appropriate scaffolding, multilingual students can successfully engage in all phases of PBL.

In higher grades, multilingual students need to develop a grasp of academic English. Here’s how to help them acquire the skills they need.

When students pretend they’re at a fancy party making small talk, a simple brainstorm for writing ideas becomes more lively, more cooperative—and more effective.

A fun and meaningful activity can help young learners embrace their own identities and develop an appreciation for their classmates’ identities.

When English language learners are given consistent opportunities to practice their home languages in class, their English proficiency flourishes—along with their sense of belonging and identity.

When teachers bring collaboration, creativity, and movement into assessment, anxiety and dread give way to confidence and joy as students show off what they have learned.

Five ways teachers can celebrate and extend the linguistic expertise of young students who speak two or more languages.

Teachers can take steps to make sure that tests only measure students’ content knowledge rather than their reading comprehension.

Teachers of any subject can use these tips to help English language learners be more engaged and at ease in class.

We visited a classroom in Denmark to see how a playful learning philosophy can put students at ease and make language learning joyful and engaging.

With a simple discussion activity that gets every learner in the class speaking and listening, teachers can help students boost conversation skills—and develop their opinions.

A few tips for ensuring that students—particularly those with disabilities and English learners—and their families get the year off to a good start.

Students learn better when they first access what they already know—and this plays a big role in improving English language learners’ academic literacy.

Conveying compassion for students while holding them to high standards can help improve equity in education.