Supporting Students In the classroom and throughout the school It is important to help ELLs integrate into the school community and feel comfortable in the school environment.  The links below describe some of the general challenges facing ELLs and ways that schools can respond to create an inclusive environment. Integrating the home language and culture • Sharing space with English and French  The end of this short article gives suggestions for Making Space for Community Languages and Using Students’ Languages in the Classroom.  Both lists give great suggestions for bringing more of the first language into the school. The embedded Posters Gallery link gives some good models of multilingual posters that are easy to make with your students. • Help your Newcomers Develop Pride in their Heritage This three-page article covers several simple suggestions for incorporating the first language and culture. • Build Bridges: Prior Knowledge as a Foundation  Pages 14 to 16 of this comprehensive document Many Roots, Many Voices describe ways to incorporate the home language and why it’s beneficial to do so. • How do you support second language learners in the classroom  This two-minute video outlines a couple of good reasons for and ways of incorporating the first language into the classroom.  Although the learners in the clips are very young, the rationale and techniques apply at all levels. • Bilingual education in a multilingual context The article on page 27 of this TESL Ontario Contact publication gives a list of simple ways that the students' first languages can be incorporated into Newfoundland schools.   Understanding the challenges facing ELLs • English Language Learners  This seven-minute video was made in the United States, but the challenges and solutions it describes apply equally to ELLs in Newfoundland and Labrador.  It is lecture-style and covers some very relevant points such as academic challenges facing ELLs, and principles and techniques for teaching ELLs. Creating a welcoming school • Strategies for Creating an Inclusive Classroom Community  This two-page PDF lists over forty ways to make ELLs comfortable in the classroom.  A more recent, expanded version of the book this list is taken from is called Adding English.  It’s an excellent resource for teachers who are interested in gaining a better understanding of their English-learning students. • Establishing an Atmosphere of Acceptance  This two-page article gives some suggestions for making new students comfortable.  They are simple things that require no or minimal preparation and make a huge difference to the student. • Reading Buddies  One way to help ELLs integrate is to encourage connections with other students in the school.  The Reading Buddies program outlined in this resource is one good way to do that.  The full document is available from Classroom Connections (which is free but registration is required). A sample is provided here. Want more? • ESL Support Document  Pages 13 and 14 in the ESL Support Document prepared by the provincial Department of Education cover Suggestions for Classroom Teachers and  the Classroom Environment. • Celebrating Diversity (Grades 4—8) This document provides teaching materials for taking a critical look at diversity with younger learners.  Though not written specifically with ELLs in mind, the issues it covers are highly relevant.  Like Reading Buddies above, it is available through Classroom Connections.  A sample is provided here. • Lost in Translation  This article from the Vancouver Courier from June, 2008 describes the challenges facing ELLs, which are typical right across the country. • ELLs in Middle and High School This 45-minute video describes the situation for ESL students at junior and high school.  It speaks from an American perspective but many of the issues are the same. © 2010 Eastern School District Information and content by Martha Trahey