Five Tips for Bilingual Teachers

When you’re an English Language Learner (ELL), the upcoming school year can’t help but feel daunting, especially if you’re new to the US school system, states the Language Lizard Blog, so here are five tips for bilingual teachers that can help.

According to the Blog, don’t make the assumption that ELLs need attention to be comfortable in the classroom. In fact, it could be the exact opposite from that. It’s more likely that to fit in and be like everybody else, standing out is the least thing they want, it says.

The Blog offers these first two tips to help them feel comfortable:

1. It suggests, for instance, to not point out how special or lucky they are living in a two-language home. Though it is great, they may not entirely believe this, at this point. So, pointing it out too soon could make them feel separate and different from their peers—the exact opposite of what the goal should be.

2. The Blog also says that though you want to talk about the different cultures of students in your classroom, it’s best to do it in a generic way; again, you don’t want to single them out.

The We are Teachers website offers these next two tips:

3. Don’t discourage ELLs from using their native language while at school, as this a common mistake that many educators make. Studies show that English Language Learners who know and use their first language will learn English faster and easier. It also helps them stay positive about their own language.

4. Use fewer extra words and more body language, says the article “Twenty Tips for Teachers of Language Minority Students.” Never misconstrue this, though, as them being slow or hard of hearing.

5. Last, but definitely not least, consider using the resources of a successful ELL outreach organization, like the Latino Family Literacy Project, which offers parental involvement programs in improving the English, reading and vocabulary through a regular, at-home reading program. Teachers can attend a one-day, program training at a workshop near them or via an online webinar.