Language and literacy experts Aileen Hower and Pérsida Himmele establish the responsive teaching practices that are essential for students who are simultaneously learning to speak and read in a new language.
Although the science of reading has made great strides in connecting literacy research to teaching practice, one aspect is often missing from the conversation—how to provide effective reading instruction for English language learners (ELLs).
The science of reading emphasizes core foundational reading skills: oral language development, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, academic vocabulary, and reading comprehension. But ELLs are learning a language and developing literacy at the same time, and teachers may need to provide additional support by
• Offering opportunities for language development.
• Assessing and leveraging students' background knowledge.
• Building students' academic vocabulary.
• Intentionally focusing on word- and text-level comprehension.
• Promoting active interaction with text.
• Appreciating students' linguistic, academic, and experiential knowledge.
Centering ELLs in the Science of Reading provides multiple strategies to develop lesson plans and tailor instruction for ELLs. With this quick reference guide, teachers can create a language-rich classroom environment that consistently and deliberately immerses students in ways that connect the content to each learner.
The Language-Rich Classroom: A Research-Based Framework Teaching English Language Learners
Photo Credit: ASCD.org
Are you using the ELL QRG in your PD or college classroom? Here's a debrief handout to support participants in processing and applying the principles presented. It's available in a PDF for handwriting short responses or a Word doc for those who prefer to type their responses. Assign the whole thing as a homework assignment, or debrief as a group by doing the following: Assign tables of 6 students to a specific page number to complete and process. Then create new groups that has a representative from each table (or page number). Have each student present their former group's page while everyone completes the entire sheet.
About This Book
Today’s multilingual classrooms challenge even the best teachers' skills. As teachers strive to help all students reach their full potential, the needs of English language learners (ELLs) can seem overwhelming.
In The Language-Rich Classroom, educators and consultants Pérsida and William Himmele present a five-part, research-based framework—CHATS—that teachers can use to help ELLs, as well as other students, attain greater language skills and deeper content comprehension. This field-tested framework includes diagnostic tools, comprehensive overviews on second-language acquisition, and teaching techniques to boost language learning in any classroom.
The CHATS framework provides teachers with
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C = content reading strategies,
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H = higher-order thinking skills,
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A = assessment tools,
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T = total participation techniques, and
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S = scaffolding strategies
The book also contains helpful planning worksheets, assessment logs, and scaffolding tools. Teachers will also find more than 25 classroom and team-building activities and specific tips about how these activities benefit ELLs.
The Language-Rich Classroom is an invaluable resource that will help teachers foster greater gains in students’ language development, increase their comprehension across all subject areas, and build classrooms that are engaging and welcoming to students of all cultures.
Unsolicited Reviews
Teaching ESL Students
I have read this book and still keep it easily accessible for planning my lessons. I had the privilege of having Dr. Persida Himmele as a my ESL supervisor for two years. I found her to be extremely knowledgeable and her books contain best practices in education. I will gladly invest in any books that her and her husband write because they help me to be a better teacher.
-Sharon Perry, March 1, 2014, Amazon.com
Great for all teachers
These two professors/authors are very dedicated to helping all students succeed. They have created a resource that is easy to read and quick to implement. This book contains several strategies and ideas for assessing or teaching all students in a class. It is a wonderful tool that all teachers could benefit from having.
-Charlie Goodrich, April 29, 2012, Amazon.com
Language Rich Classroom
I absolutely LOVE this book. It is easy to read and filled with wonderful strategies to teach higher level thinking, student participation, scaffolding instruction, and integrating language across the curriculum.
R. P. Kelly, March 15, 2010, Amazon.com
Fantasic resource for ALL EDUCATORS!
This text is a must have for all educators, not only ESL teachers. The material is relevant for educators of struggling learners and is presented in an easy to understand and utilize format. An easy read that makes sense! I have shared it with my staff. GET IT NOW!
Camilla J. Kasales, December 10, 2009, Amazon.com