Science ESOL Strategies
- Grace Hajj
- Nov 3, 2015
- 4 min read
Strategy 1: Learning Centers
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English language learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of Science.
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Investigate how magnifiers make things appear bigger and help people see things they could not see without them.
This strategy uses the classroom as a place where students can be involved in hands-on activities that help to give them additional experience in the skills they are learning while also learning how to work together with their fellow students. For example, if the science topic you are discussing in the classroom is on magnifiers, set up stations all around the room where the students travel around to experiement with different related materials. Make sure the students know what is expected of them and that each student takes a part by documenting his/her participation in the centers. As a teacher, observe the students as they go throughout the centers to assess if they are learning and progressing.
Herrell, A. L., & Jordan, M. (2015). 50 Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners (5th ed.). N.p.: Pearson.
Strategy 2: Communication Games
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English language learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of Science.
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Make observations of living things and their environment using the five senses.
Communication games help to build listening and verbal communication practice. Through activity, students are able to learn information while also learning how to interact by giving directions, asking questions, or solving problems together. When using this game to teach for instance using the five senses, first identify a language neeed that your students need to practice. Then, model the game and how it is played by demonstrating with students and reviewing rules with them beforehand. Divide students into pairs or groups and circle around the room giving encouragement and support. Afterwards, have the students talk with each other about what they learned and what solutions they came to. Observe the students' communication skills and how they have improved.
Herrell, A. L., & Jordan, M. (2015). 50 Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners (5th ed.). N.p.: Pearson.
Strategy 3: Charts, Graphs, and Figures
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English language learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of Science.
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Keep records as appropriate - such as pictorial and written records - of investigations conducted.
This strategy implements the visual aspect of learning into discovering new areas of Science. Beyond just learning the facts, the students are able to visually see the results of what they are learning. They are also able to demonstrate results of their own investigations by using charts, graphs, or figures. This helps students to effectively communicate without having to use words or language to get the point across, but they are still being understood and are able to relate their findings to others. This strategy offers a helpful tool for those who are new to or struggling with English.
https://www.csun.edu/science/ref/language/teaching-ell.html
Strategy 4: Using Realia Strategies
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English language learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of Science.
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Raise questions about the natural world, investigate them in teams through free exploration, and generate appropriate explanations based on those explorations.
This strategy involves students in using concreate objects to help learn new terms and build their knowledge and discovery of new scientific terms. This helps students to remember information by the kinesthetic involvement of scientific experiements and also helps to better help them relate what they learn to real life. Students can work in teams to conduct scientific experiments. Herrell, A. L., & Jordan, M. (2015). 50 Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners (5th ed.). N.p.: Pearson.
Strategy 5: Reporting Back
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English language learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of Science.
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Ask "how do you know?" in appropriate situations.
Students will be able to use this strategy by telling their classmates what they find in conducting their individual experiments. They will be able to share what they have learned and how they came to their conclusions and figured out the new terms. It is helpful for the teacher to write out the steps on the board for the students to know exactly what is required of them. Both teacher and students can verbally describe what is happening while the experiements are being conducted, and then review new vocabulary learned in the class time. Once students have finished, the teacher should have them write a report on what they did so that their progress can be recorded and monitored. Be sure to celebrate students' achievements.
Herrell, A. L., & Jordan, M. (2015). 50 Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners (5th ed.). N.p.: Pearson.
Strategy 6: Visual Scaffolding
ELD.K12.ELL.SC.1
English language learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of Science.
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Keep records as appropriate - such as pictorial and written records - of investigations conducted.
This strategy helps provide students with another way of learning scientific facts by allowing them to have a visual record of the terms and information they go over in the lesson. The first step in implementing this strategy is showing the students the vocabulary and terms they will be going over in the lesson, and then gathering visuals to use to help students remember them. Display the visuals in a way that will help the students learn the structure of the lesson and how the terms play a part by presenting them on the white board or SMART board. Them, have students use the visuals by presenting to each other what they are learning, and create a file for the students to keep to remember what they've studied and experimented with in the classroom.
Herrell, A. L., & Jordan, M. (2015). 50 Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners (5th ed.). N.p.: Pearson.
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