I fully agree with the statement. I have always tried to imagine how I would feel moving to another country during my K-12 education and have to learn new material: math, science, history, etc.. in a new language. It seems overwhelming. I admire that our ELLs work so hard, and the result is not always at the level of the native English learners. I always take that into consideration. I have had great conversations with ELLs about the challenges that they have faced moving to the United States.
I have regularly included visuals and have had students draw visuals to help explain concepts. I use group activities quite often in PIG and Economics. The Policy Paper has been such a challenge for our ENL students in the past. Fortunately, this semester, I have an ENL program aide in my PIG class to support the ENL students...this is fabulous for everyone! She is able to make adjustments in assignment length and depth, help with vocabulary, and re-explain directions. I will know that we are successful when the ELLs can produce writing that expresses their research findings on a topic of interest to the best of their ability.
I have regularly included visuals and have had students draw visuals to help explain concepts. I use group activities quite often in PIG and Economics. The Policy Paper has been such a challenge for our ENL students in the past. Fortunately, this semester, I have an ENL program aide in my PIG class to support the ENL students...this is fabulous for everyone! She is able to make adjustments in assignment length and depth, help with vocabulary, and re-explain directions. I will know that we are successful when the ELLs can produce writing that expresses their research findings on a topic of interest to the best of their ability.