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 The
increasing numbers of ELLs enrolled in schools each
year bring with them a host of challenges. On a basic
level, they must learn a new language for social purposes
such as getting personal needs met, requesting information,
and making new friends. They must learn the rules and
nuances of a different culture in order to function
in their new environment. In addition, many of these
students may have had interrupted education as a result
of moving to a new country.
In spite of these obstacles, ELL students must acquire
native, grade-appropriate academic skills in English
to become fully productive members of society. At the
Success For All Foundation, we have conducted research
and developed materials to provide our schools with
resources to meet the challenges of their linguistically
and culturally diverse populations.
 Cooperative
learning, a teaching methodology at the core of all
SFA programs, is ideally suited to the need of ELLs.
Students work with teams to study and learn together,
practice skills, and exchange roles as teachers and
learners. These small groups provide a “safe place”
for ELLs to interact with their peers, practice language,
and work on academic tasks. Systematic, daily contact
with native speakers provides the invaluable, authentic
language practice that is necessary to truly acquire
language.
The research-based curriculum materials developed by
the Success For All Foundation also include ESL strategies
built into each lesson. There are no separate ELL lessons
that require special grouping, additional teachers/aides
or alternate assessment measures. Lessons are structured
so that ELLs are studying material on their grade level
with native English speakers, but still receiving the
support they need to make the lessons comprehensible.
Keeping students at a challenging level while providing
targeted assistance enables them to achieve at the same
rate as other students.
There are a range of supports in place. Reading materials
identify important vocabulary for ELLs in each lesson,
and suggest different ways of presenting it to ensure
comprehension (proven techniques such as realia, TPR,
pantomime, and choral response are all used). Curriculum
support materials such as colorful vocabulary cards,
puppets, and letter-blending cards provide strong visuals
to aid in retention of new vocabulary and concepts.
Assessment measures help pinpoint problem areas in vocabulary,
oral language production and comprehension so these
skills can be addressed directly, depending on the needs
of individual students. Videos and DVDs, created exclusively
for ELLs (but beneficial and enjoyable for all students)
address important skills such as phonemic awareness,
letter sounds, sound blending, vocabulary development,
and specific reading strategies and skills (reading
with fluency, making predictions, and monitoring for
meaning and others).
To learn more specific program components proven effective
in inceasing the academic achievement of ELLs, use the
following links:
KinderCorner
Reading Roots
Reading Wings
See Research on English Language Learners in the Research
section for information on current research about English
language learners.
Do you want to learn more about programs to support
English language learners, and the professional development
and materials to help students succeed on state assessments?
Please call and talk to one of our staff members at
1-800-548-4998, ext.2372, or fill out the information
request form online.
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