Ideas on how to help English Language Learners

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Home : 2003 : December : 31

Ideas on how to help English Language Learners
By Cristina Heredia

To begin with, your students need to understand the culture of an American school. I would suggest that you teach units related to school life such as visiting the nurse, basic needs (permission to go to the bathroom, get
a drink of water, etc.), numbers, colors, verbs, etc. They can keep personal dictionaries of words/phrases that are meaningful to them. I also recommend using the Oxford Picture Dictionary. It is divided into units such as those I suggested. Finally, try to slowly move away from just translating for the students. Your goal is to help them master a second language and not become a

crutch for them. As they study English, play some games with them. There are so many quick and easy (and cheap) games you can play. E-mail me if you'd like and I'll see how many I remember from my ESL days. Buena suerte.