Incomprehensible classroom language can result in students’ English development becoming stuck. Thankfully, there are strategies teachers can implement in their classroom to help. Other ideas can be conversation starters for discussing widespread s...
Teachers aren’t the only ones who can provide comprehensible input for English learners. Sometimes the best source of input comes from peers during well-designed group activities.
Some teachers resist accommodating for English learners’ needs, and it can be challenging to work with them. They often appear to set themselves up as enemies of the students you care so much about. Developing an ally relationship with them seems c...
Students’ lives can be complex! Teachers who try to meet all of the needs before them can experience feelings of burnout, or worse. Sometimes teachers must listen to their teacher-friends and stop trying to be a super hero.
Spending years in classrooms where teachers do not provide comprehensible language input leads many students to become long-term English learners with high dropout rates. This doesn't have to be their reality. Share your experiences with LTELs in a n...
A well-known second language scholar claims there is only one way people acquire language. The good news is that there’s a lot you can do in your classroom to aid in this process!
Teachers need relationships with other teachers. They need to know they’re not alone. Join the Dear Dr. Mooney community Discussion Forums where you can interact with colleagues, share your ideas, and develop professional connections. A NEW Discuss...
Sometimes bilingual students seem uninterested in speaking their native language with others. Although this is a complex issue, there are at least three reasons that might be at the heart of their reluctance.
This non-fiction account of a high school class of refugees, who spoke multiple languages, provides detailed insight into how a teacher navigated the multilingual environment. It also leads the reader to empathy for the challenges newcomers face.
There are many reasons why English Learners might be hesitant to speak during whole class discussions. Teachers can consider these three ideas as they work to encourage all students to share their thoughts with others.
Current Discussions
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Infographic
Thanks for the Phonology infographic! Very helpful info for me and my district!
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Artist’s/Writer’s Workshop
The Universal Language of Pictures: A Critical Tool for Advancing Student Writing by Beth Olshansky provides a strong rationale for leading students to begin their writing projects with artwork. You can read my article about a few of her ideas, but w...
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Enjoyed learning about this alternative to frontloading vocabulary. I think there are many teachers out there who teach using a discovery method like you shared in the magnetism lesson example, but they don’t realize the importance of connectin...
