Mobile County Public School System English as a Second Language Program Classroom Accommodations for ESL Students

Why Accommodate? ESL Students must receive accommodations: To help them understand content To help them complete assignments To improve their English skills To help them feel included and comfortable Because it is the law

The Civil Rights Act, Title VI 1964 “No person in the United States, on the ground of race, color or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” -42 U.S.C. § 2000d.

Lau v. Nichols The failure of a school system to provide English language instruction to national origin students who do not speak English, or to provide them with other adequate instruction denies them a meaningful opportunity to participate in the public educational program. - Lau v. Nichols (U.S. Supreme Court Decision, 1974).

Lack of English proficiency does not mean there is a lack of content knowledge or thought.

Classroom Accommodations Using teaching strategies and learning resources that make content comprehensible is the key to helping the student understand the content, learn the language, and be engaged in the learning process.

Sample Instructional Strategies Seat the student near the teacher Write instructions clearly on the board as well as give them orally Write key words, page numbers, homework, deadlines, etc. on the board Incorporate visuals such as props, graphics, organizers, charts and gestures Avoid slang, colloquial expressions and complex structures Speak clearly Allow extra time

Sample Instructional Strategies Allow the ESL student to write less, have fewer answer choices or answer simpler questions Consider it may take them longer to complete a task Allow the use of bilingual dictionaries for older students who are literate in their first language, but discourage over reliance Use meaningful word walls Provide a model of what completed work should look like

Sample Assessment Accommodations Level One: Point to answers Use yes or no test items Test Orally Accept one-word answers or pictures Level Two: Reduce Test Questions Allow errors in speaking/writing Extended time Allow the use of study guide/outlines

Sample Assessment Accommodations Level Three: Allow extra time Reduce Test Questions Only grade work completed Allow use of study guides and notes Level Four: Retest Accept some grammatical errors Allow use of word-to-word dictionary Rephrase directions if necessary

Accommodation Documentation

This will be provided to you by your ESL Resource teacher This accommodation form provides suggested accommodations for each ESL student A copy will go into the students file for documentation that accommodations were provided as required by law

For more information: Contact your local ESL teacher Contact Tracy Jay ESL and Migrant Coordinator