Equity
In today’s public schools, English learners (ELs) are the fastest growing subgroup, making up roughly 10 percent of students nationwide. According toDr. Elena Izquierdo, author ofEscalate Englishand Associate Professor at University of Texas, El Paso, most of today’s classrooms are woefully unprepared to serve the unique needs of ELs. In her webinar titled “Equity, Evidence, and Efficacy in Meeting Academic Needs of English Learners,” she discussed the keys to creating a classroom where this population of students can thrive.
How Can Teachers Better Serve ELs?
Many teachers focus on the simplification of language, but this can water down the curriculum for students, which creates disengagement. And once students are disengaged, it can be very difficult to bring them back.
According to Dr. Izquierdo, teachers need specialized professional development to teach them how to integrate language learning across all of their content. Most importantly, they need to learn how to reach ELs who are high-achievers in their native language(s) (L1), and learn to focus on literacy in both L1 and English (L2, or for some students, L3 or even L4!). As Dr. Izquierdo says: “Students who are bilingual perform better than fluent monolingual students or students [who] aren’t fully proficient in more than one language.”
Whenever possible, teachers should use L1 to support learning in L2. This approach allows for continued cognitive and academic development. Tools such as specific instructional materials, relevant technological aids, bilingual dictionaries, and partner work can help to support ELs. For example, partnering ELs with students they are comfortable working with allows them to interact in a safer setting, lowering the stakes of failure while still engaging them with real content.
Who Are ELs?
One common misconception is that all ELs need the same kind of instruction. The truth is that these students have different language backgrounds, different literacy levels in L1, and different levels of academic achievement in their prior schooling.
最大的船是说西班牙语,但是Chinese, Vietnamese, and many more languages are represented in schools nationwide. Some students were high-achievers before starting L2, while other students have had interrupted learning. Some students are struggling with literacy in L1, let alone L2. Each student requires a different kind of classroom approach.
Dr. Izquierdo wants to change the paradigm “from a deficit model to an assets mindset.” The contributions ELs make to our society will depend on the caliber of their K-12 academic experience. So, how do teachers best serve ELs? The secret comes from the 3 E’s: equity, evidence, and efficacy. Let’s take a look at each!
Equity
The first question an educator should ask is: How am I planning to achieveequityfor the ELs in my classroom?
Roughly three-quarters of classrooms in the United States now have at least one EL student. Teachers should prioritize providing an instructional focus that builds on each EL’s background and needs. This means providing instructional materials that specifically address and integrate language development via grade-level content.
Dr. Izquierdo believes teachers should integrate oral and written English development throughout all academic activities, regardless of subject matter. This means introducing new vocabulary words whenever possible, especially when they are relevant to the curriculum. Educators should also be prepared to intervene when students are struggling. Ultimately, ELs succeed when they are provided with ongoing, structured routines to utilize and develop their language skills.
Evidence
The second question teachers should be asking is: What evidence will I gather? Or in other words, how do you know it’s working?
Professional development is a key part of gathering evidence. It teaches educators how best to address the needs of ELs and the best ways to go about monitoring ELs’ progress. The best approach to language and literacy growth involves communities, the school district, schools, and professional development for teachers. Most importantly, teachers must seek out professional development wherever it’s available. If it isn’t, they should get the community involved and try to set up programs to support ELs.
Efficacy
Finally, teachers need to be asking: How am I going to achieve efficacy? Am I enacting effective strategies routinely and systematically?
Faithful implementation is integral to ELs’ academic achievement. Teachers should be purposeful about providing an instructional focus built on EL needs. They should be intentional about continuously integrating language development and instructional materials relevant to EL teaching and learning at every level. And they should be systematic in establishing routines in planning, preparation, and delivery of instruction that supports EL learning.
This means simple routines such as getting ELs writing every day, even through quick writes. These small routines are both nonnegotiable and invaluable, as they help to grow self-confidence in ELs. A little goes a long way, and each piece is a brick in the wall to build the academic excellence of ELs in public schools nationwide.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of HMH.
***
View the recording of Dr. Elena Izquierdo’s webinar,“Equity, Evidence, and Efficacy in Meeting Academic Needs of English Learners,”to learn more about maximizing EL student achievement in the classroom.
Download our free guide to using response frames with multilingual learners.
Related Reading
-
What Is Dyscalculia? Its Impact on Students and How to Support Them
Dr. Vytas Laitusis
Education Research Director, Supplemental & Intervention Math -
Serving All Students with Pride
Benita Flucker
Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer, SVP Enterprise Development Strategy, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt -
Sentence Frames for ELL Students
Jennifer Corujo
ShapedEditor
CORE CURRICULUM
HMH Social Studies, 6-12
SEE ALL SOCIAL STUDIES
AP & ELECTIVES
AP Human Geography
Personal Finance
SEE ALL SOCIAL STUDIES
AP & ELECTIVES
SUPPLEMENTAL
Connected Teaching and Learning
HMH’s Connected Teaching and Learning integrates assessment, core instruction, supplemental practice, intervention, and professional learning all on one platform.
Professional Development
Providing professional development for teachers, HMH’s professional learning courses, coaching, and leadership advisory supports educators every step of the way.
Keeping It Current For Grades 6–12
Each month we bring you videos, articles, and current events designed to build cultural awareness, media literacy, and a deeper understanding of significant historical figures and events.
For Teachers
Coaching Membership
Teacher's Corner
Live Online Courses
SEE ALL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
For Leaders
ICLE (International Center for Leadership in Education)
Intervention Curriculum
HMH's K-12 intervention programs are built on 20+ years of proven results. We can help teachers develop an intervention curriculum that meets students' needs.
Science of Reading eBook
In this exclusive Science of Reading eBook you’ll find research-backed information that will walk you through the experience new readers face as they build their reading brain.
Model Schools Conference
Join us for the 32nd annual Model School Conferences presented by The Center for Model Schools. We showcase the success of districts, schools, and educators.
AP & Electives
Assessment
Early Learning
English Language Development
Homeschool
Intervention
Literacy
Mathematics
Professional Development
Science
School Improvement
Social and Emotional Learning
Social Studies
Special Education
Summer School
SEE ALL SOLUTIONS
Intervention Curriculum
HMH's K-12 intervention programs are built on 20+ years of proven results. We can help teachers develop an intervention curriculum that meets students' needs.
BROWSE RESOURCES
Classroom Activities
Customer Success Stories
Digital Samples
Events & Webinars
Grants & Funding
International
Research Library
Shaped - HMH Blog
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
Contact Sales
Customer Service & Technical Support Portal
Platform Login
免费教学Resources: Fun Classroom Activities and Lesson Plan Ideas
Here you'll find free learning activities, lessons, downloadables, and videos for students in Grades K–12 to keep learning and growing at grade level.
2023–2024 Monthly Calendar Themes for School
Check out these monthly calendar themes for school, complete with teaching resources for holidays and other days of significance for all grade levels.
Learn about us
About
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Environmental, Social, and Governance
News Announcements
Our Legacy
Social Responsibility
Supplier Diversity
Join Us
Careers
Educator Input Panel
Suppliers and Vendors
Divisions
Heinemann
The Center for Model Schools (formerly ICLE)
NWEA