5 Apps for ENL Teachers

Tool 1: https://translate.google.com/

No account required.
When ELLS are learning new vocabulary in English, Google Translate is a great tool to have them translate their answers in their home language. This tool helps non-English speaking students to stay on task with the rest of the class.

Tool 2: https://kahoot.it/

Free account is available with limited features. Kahoot is an excellent app that is useful to review work in any subject. This is a great app for ELLS to learn new vocabulary and to review vocabulary. You can add photos or pictures and students identify the word or can review the meaning of the word.

Tool 3: www.padlet.com

Free account is available.
Limited to 3 padlets with a teacher account. Padlet can be used as a DO NOW or EXIT TICKET for ELLS and all students. There are options where you can write, record, or video tape your answers. I use this to record our reading practice to show
growth.

Tool 4:www.rewordify.com

Free to use. Allows ENL teachers to change the lexile level of text. Mainly used as a scaffold for lower English proficient students. Students gain a better understanding of the same text their peers are working on.
                  

Tool 5: www.kami.com

Kami is an app that allows students to mark up their pdf files. This is excellent for students to correct answers and to elaborate on answers after feedback is given. It’s a time saver since they are working on the same document.

Lesson: Summarizing and Expanded Sentences

LESSON TYPE: Standalone Lesson for High School Entering and Emerging ELLs

FQ: What strategies can I use to write better sentences? 
LT1: I can write complete sentences.
LT2: I can write expanded complete sentences using descriptive details.
LT3: I can write a summary that includes the 5Ws and descriptive details.

LINK TO LESSON GOOGLE SLIDES

Reflection is a useful tool for ELLs

A taxonomy of reflection can be beneficial for English language learners in several ways:

1. Improving language skills: Reflecting on one's own experiences and thoughts can help English language learners practice their writing and speaking skills, as they need to express themselves clearly and accurately in order to reflect effectively.

2. Deepening understanding: By thinking critically about their own experiences and analyzing them in depth, English language learners can gain a deeper understanding of the material they are studying and how it relates to their own lives.

3. Enhancing learning: Reflecting on one's own learning process can help English language learners identify their strengths and weaknesses, and develop strategies for improving their language skills.

4. Promoting self-awareness: Reflecting on one's own experiences and thoughts can help English language learners become more self-aware and better understand their own motivations, values, and beliefs.

5. Developing critical thinking skills: Reflecting on one's own experiences and analyzing them in a structured way can help English language learners develop their critical thinking skills and become more analytical and reflective learners.

Overall, a taxonomy of reflection can be a valuable tool for English language learners as it can help them better understand their own learning process and improve their language skills. By providing a structured approach to reflection, a taxonomy can also make it easier for English language learners to engage in the reflective process and gain valuable insights from their experiences.

Conversation Guide for Newcomers

At the start of the school year or when newcomers enter my school, I provide them with a copy of this conversation guide. You can modify this anyway you'd like. It's helpful since newcomers tend to be quiet and don't know how to communicate in English. I actually make this part of a lesson or activity. 

Here is a free Google Document copy of the ELLS CONVERSATION GUIDE

There are a total of three pages.

Online Glossaries and Bilingual Dictionaries for ELLS

Learning a new language can be a challenging and rewarding experience, but it can also be overwhelming, especially for English language learners. One way to make the learning process easier and more effective is to provide glossaries, which are lists of words and their definitions.

A glossary is an essential tool for English language learners because it helps them understand the meaning of unfamiliar words and phrases. It allows them to look up the definitions of words as they encounter them in texts, rather than having to guess at their meanings or rely on context clues. This can save a lot of time and frustration for learners, who may otherwise have to stop and look up words constantly as they read or listen to spoken English.

Glossaries are especially helpful for learners who are studying technical or academic subjects, as these fields often use specialized vocabulary that may be unfamiliar to those who are not fluent in English. By providing a glossary, educators can ensure that learners have access to the definitions they need to fully understand the material they are studying.

In addition to providing definitions, glossaries can also help learners improve their vocabulary and expand their understanding of the English language. By looking up words and reading their definitions, learners can learn new words and see how they are used in different contexts. This can help them become more confident and proficient users of the English language.

There are many ways to provide glossaries to English language learners. One option is to include a glossary at the end of a textbook or other learning materials. This allows learners to easily access definitions as they work through the material. Alternatively, teachers can create a list of key terms and their definitions and provide it to learners at the beginning of a lesson or unit. This can serve as a reference for learners as they work through the material. By providing glossaries, educators can make the learning process easier and more effective for English language learners.

Here is a link to GLOSSARIES in a variety of languages. 

Welcome to the ENL TEACHER IN NYC blog

Welcome to my education blog for new teachers working with English Language Learners (ELLs) in high school! If you're reading this, you're likely a new teacher looking for ways to effectively support and engage your teenage ELL students. Teaching ELLs can be a rewarding but challenging experience, as these students come to your classroom with a range of language backgrounds and levels of proficiency in English. However, with the right strategies and resources, you can successfully help your ELL students succeed in your high school classroom.

I will cover a variety of topics related to teaching ELLs in high school, including strategies for differentiating instruction, scaffolding complex content, and building academic language skills. I will also discuss ways to create a welcoming and inclusive classroom culture that supports ELLs' language development and academic success.

I hope that by reading and implementing the strategies and resources shared in this blog, you will feel better equipped to support your ELL students and help them thrive in your high school classroom. Thank you for joining, and I look forward to supporting you on your journey as a teacher of ELLs.