We all know that learning a new language requires vocabulary instruction, but what is the best approach to new vocabulary for ESL students? Which words should we teach? Which words are the most important? And how can we help students retain the academic vocabulary we teach them? I address these questions in today’s episode. People…
One of the most frequently asked questions I get asked as an ESL teacher about teaching newcomers is what do you do when a student doesn’t speak ANY English? This situation can be overwhelming for both the student, who may be adjusting to a whole new culture, and the classroom teacher, who is doing their…
In today’s episode, I am chatting with my friend Carissa Ford about how to teach speaking effectively to our English learners. Speaking is such a personal aspect of language learning, and that is just one of the challenges our multilingual students face. Carissa and I dive into the best practices in teaching speaking. We talk…
In today’s episode, I wanted to talk about radical self-care for teachers. That is, about the mental and emotional health of teachers and processing emotions in difficult times. We always seek information and want to better our knowledge of how to support our English learners – and all students. But I wanted to honor teachers…
In today’s episode, I want to chat with you about SLIFE students – a special group of students who have limited or interrupted formal education. Chances are many of us have encountered a student from this group at least once. And with everything that is going on in the world right now, we are likely to…
Have you ever heard the term “text engineering”? Hang tight because that’s what we are talking about in today’s episode. I am chatting with my dear friend Susan Patterson about text engineering – what it is and how we all can help make content accessible to our English learners. Susan is a district Multilingual/ELD Teacher…