Improving ELL Reading

In improving ELL reading, educators must provide supporting activities that teach grammar, word development and vocabulary, says an article on improving ELL reading. Reading is an active skill that must be taught, it says, and suggests these three tips:

1st – Have students study particular words written as different parts of speech such as the verb “to reason,” as a noun “reason,” as an adjective “reasonable,” and as an adverb “reasonably.”

2nd – Put together an exercise with a row of words that includes one that’s different like “read/read/read/bead.”

3rd – Have higher-level kids locate the main idea in a reading passage along with supporting details. For lower-level students, have them locate words that often occur together such as “red-apple,” “green-frog” and “dark-night.” Students can then read with anticipation as they think ahead in order to process contextual clues.

Another teaching technique from the article “5 Key Strategies for ELL Instruction” suggests giving ELLs background knowledge about upcoming reading lessons. Along with increasing interest, this allows them to focus on instructions versus being overwhelmed with the content. Basically, it’s extremely important that teachers do everything possible so that ELLs can experience success in the classroom!

In improving ELL reading, the results of a teacher development intervention states found that ongoing quality professional development activities for teachers cannot be underestimated, says the white paper called “Teacher Professional Development to Improve the Science and Literacy Achievement of English Language Learners.”

For Hispanics, which is the largest English language learner base in the US, a terrific way to assist professional development for teachers while also involving parents is by bringing in an organization like The Latino Family Literacy Project.

Through a one-day, program training at a workshop in their area or via an online webinar, The Project’s highly successful literacy programs train teachers in educating and guiding parents on the benefits of setting up a regular reading routine using books written in both Spanish and English. Results have shown that it not only improves the reading, vocabulary and overall English ability of ELLs but often their parents’ English skill set, too! For more information, feel free to contact The Project.