By Valerie Callet

In the United States, nearly 20% of all households speak languages other than English.  With these changing demographics, it is more important than ever to effectively reach and teach English Language Learners (ELLs).

This excerpt from the RAPSA professional development webinar, “Working with English Language Learners (ELLs): Notes for all Content Teachers,” demonstrates the key points in creating a learning environment in which your ELL students can thrive.

Caring teachers involve students:

• in issues they regard as vital concerns
• in seeing major concepts, big ideas, and general principles; students do not simply pursue isolated facts
• in planning what they will be doing
• in applying ideals such as fairness, equity, and justice to their world
• in real-life experiences, including using technology
• with other students in groups
• in thinking about ideas that question common sense or assumptions 
• in redoing, polishing, or perfecting their work
• in reflecting on their own lives and how they have come to think and believe as they do
  

Webinar Recap

Valerie Callet, ELL Coordinator (the School for Integrated Academics and Technologies), provided a one-hour webinar entitled Working with English Language Learners: Notes for all Content Teachers on August 26, 2008. Specifically, the presenter provided background information on shifting and current demographics in the United States, discussed care for students as it relates to culturally relevant teaching, and addressed practical, classroom strategies for reaching and teaching ELLs. Participants from all content areas explored how to access students' background knowledge, scaffold instruction, and provide opportunities for interaction among students.

Click here to schedule this webinar for your staff!