Culturally Responsive Design for English Learners by Patti Kelly Ralabate & Loui Lord Nelson

Author:Patti Kelly Ralabate & Loui Lord Nelson
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781930583061
Publisher: CAST Professional Publishing
Published: 2017-08-01T04:00:00+00:00

Construct Deep Understanding

Language learning, especially vocabulary learning, is enhanced when students are able to link new information with what they already know. This connection is particularly true for CLD students and ELs. Teachers need to offer specific opportunities to relate learners’ prior knowledge with academic content. For instance, Jasmine starts each new unit with a K-W-L exercise that allows learners to activate background knowledge and connect their experiences and word knowledge with the new content. Likewise, Sebastian asks students to brainstorm and create word walls before the class begins reading a new book.

To apply the UDL principle of Representation to the development of L2 vocabulary knowledge and comprehension skills, use strategies that involve constructing deep understanding such as highlighting similarities and differences (e.g., comparing and contrasting), classification, and story and concept mapping. Identify key vocabulary words in content areas (such as science, social studies, mathematics), and then use them as a base to build more abstract concepts. Another useful tool is pairing language learning with movement and music, and using a variety of materials and media to represent language concepts, including manipulatives, nonlinguistic cues and prompts (such as pointing, gesturing, and matching objects to pictures), models, pictures, drawings, illustrations, videos, and pictographs (Hill & Miller, 2013). See table 6.2 for additional examples of materials and media content teachers can use to develop L2 proficiency.

Reflection Most teachers represent content using a variety of materials and media. Which materials/media do you think are most effective for ELs?

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.