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Effective Instructional Strategies for English Language Learners in Mainstream Classrooms    Susan Wallace
The author describes a model of instruction for English Language Learners and discuses factors that influence their cognitive and academic development.

An Introduction to Meeting the Needs of English Language Learners   Manka M. Varghese
The author provides an overview of critical information for U.S. public school teachers to help them teach their students whose first language is not English.

Second Language Literacies: Trying Out the "Tools" of the Trade    Brian Morgan
York University Professor explores the merits of the New London Group's assertion that an analytical "metalanguage" is crucial in order to talk about, interpret, or critique various forms of information in the classroom.

Conferring with Young Second-Language Writers: Keys to Success   Antony Smith
Teacher/ doctoral candidate explains the importance of teacher- student conferences to the writing process, particularly for ELL students. 

Making Connections: Maximizing the Impact of Classroom Volunteers on the Literacy of English Language Learners  Kelley Archer
Bilingual teacher and Ph.D. student shows that, in order to make a positive impact on student learning, volunteers need to have a conscious knowledge about the educational goals of the various activities in which they are asked to participate.

New Teacher-Researcher Conversations: Understanding English Language Learners and Ourselves     Elsa Bro, Samae Horner, Rachel Reckord, Melody Rockwell, and Ruth Shagoury
In order to understand the specific needs of the English Language Learner (ELL) students, four beginning teachers in their first year of teaching formed a teacher-researcher group with a veteran teacher-researcher. The group met monthly sharing case study data for two years. This article shares practical suggestions for work with ELL students as well as tips for teacher-researchers.

"No Child Left Behind:" Implications for Special Education Students and Students with Limited English Proficiency   Mark E. Jewell
The Chief Academic Officer of Federal Way Public Schools describes how test scores of special education and ELL students can be improved through accommodations and preparation.

Engaging Families in Children's Mathematical Learning: Classroom Visits with Latina Mothers     Marta Civil and Beatriz Quintos
This article presents a model for parental participation in mathematics in a working-class, primarily Latino community. The authors highlight one of the activities in their work: classroom visits with parents. These visits allow researchers and parents to engage in a dialogue about critical issues related to their children's mathematics education (e.g., language issues, different approaches, beliefs, curricular issues).

Motheread/Fatheread: A Family Literacy Program of Humanities Washington   Lydia Bassett
Program Officer for Humanities Washington explains how this program uses quality children's literature to help parents read effectively with their children, improve parenting and literacy skills, and increase family communication.

Leading Beyond Compliance: Integrated Comprehensive Services© for All Learners   Elise M. Frattura and Colleen A. Capper
Two university professors address the needs of special education, ELL, at- risk, and Title I students by describing ways to infuse integrated comprehensive services into the primary components of school educational plans.

Advancement of Science Knowledge In Language Learning (ASKILL)     John Shaffer and V. A. Lindley-Brunn
Two educational researchers discuss a project that focuses on enhancing English language acquisition at the middle school level by English Language Learners through the study of science.

My Experience Using the Multiple Intelligences   Nelly Ribot
An Argentinean teacher of English as a second language describes her successful experiences in applying the theory of multiple intelligences in her classroom.

Class Size: Does It Really Matter?     Robert J. Rios
Robert J. Rios writes about overcrowded classrooms from his perspective as an educator at an alternative school in New York City, and touches on the effects on English Language Learners.

Seven Characteristics of Highly Effective Adult Learning Programs    Dorothy D. Billington, Ph.D.
In an age of scarce resources and rapid change, Billington's research shows that there are some effective ways to structure adult learning programs. She identifies the factors that best facilitate adult growth and development in adult learning environments, using an adult English language program as an example.

Recommended Reading

Meeting the Needs of Second Language Learners: An Educator's Guide     Judith Lessow-Hurley

Delgado-Gaitan, C. (1990) Literacy for Empowerment: The Role of Parents in Children's Education. New York: The Falmer Press.

This book documents a study of how a group of Spanish speaking parents became involved in their children's education. Twenty families from the Portillo School District near Santa Barbara California participated. The author provides the reader with a strong theoretical background of literacy development, both in the classroom and at home. She investigates home literacy-related activities, which focus on cognitive development and knowledge transmission through such activities as folktales and family discussions.

The second half of this book looks at the ways in which limited-English-speaking parents can assist their children at home and become more involved in their children's schools. Delgado-Gaitan shows how homework can become a significant vehicle for parental involvement. She accounts for the ways in which a school in her study made efforts to get these parents involved by trying to promote better communication between school and family. She goes on to explain how the Spanish speaking parents took on a leadership role within the school, organizing a committee for Spanish speaking parents within the district. This book provides some insightful information for any teacher or school administrator interested in getting their limited-English-speaking parents more involved in their children's education.

Quality Education for Latinos and Latinas: Print and Oral Skills for all Students, K-College  Rita and Marco Portales

Related links

Article: Reading and English Language Learners by Beth Antunez

English Language Learner KnowledgeBase
This is an online resource supporting education professionals in the administration of programs for ELL students. It is organized around seven elements that assist administrators and program directors develop and maintain school and district wide programs.

The EnglishClub.com
This is a site to help you learn English or teach English as a second language. Access to all pages is free. You'll find everything from lessons for learners to jobs for teachers, including many interactive pages such as forums, games, quizzes, chat, ESL help and penpals.

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