1. Modifications For EL Learners in the Regular Education Classroom
Useful Teaching Strategies
for Successful Integration of
English Language Learners into
ALL Pre-K – 12th Grade Classrooms

2. What is ESL
A program designed to set minimum standards for Tennessee school districts in providing services to non-English language background students who are also English Learners (EL).

3. Why Does it Exist? Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)- 1965
Equal Education Opportunities Act- 1974
Lau vs Nichols- 1974
Plyer vs Doe- 1982

4. How Does It Affect Me?
NCLB- Under NCLB, we are also held accountable for sub-groups on standardized tests
Federal Money- If our Limited English students fail, we are held accountable and it affects jobs

5. I Know That They Understand Me!
Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS)
1-2 yrs- It takes 1-2 years for social language
Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP)
5-7 yrs- It takes 5-7 years for academic language you relearn
When you learn a second language, it works the same as learning your first language. You learned to speak before you learned to read and write. The same is true for English Learners (EL).

6. Steps of Language Acquisition
Silent Stage- Can last from 1 day to 6 months
Pre-Production- They really don’t speak/ Will understand more than they can say
Early Production- Will say a few words/ 1-2 word phrases/ Can answer yes and no questions
Speech Emergence- Many errors in speaking and writing/ Starts to use simple sentences
Intermediate Fluency- Less errors/ Can start stating opinions and adding details
Advanced Proficiency- Have developed specialized content-area vocabulary/ Students can speak English using grammar and vocabulary comparable to that of same-age native speakers

7. What Do I Do When They Arrive at School?
Home Language Survey
Contact ESL Coordinator- Merideth Lawson
If they are transferring from another school, request the EL records
Immunizations- all students must have them to enroll
Code correctly into Aspen

8. Aspen and Test Coding
To properly enter EL students in the system, the ethnicity tab should be selected
Under language- L should be chosen
L- active ESL
1- first year of proficiency
2- second year of proficiency
N- passed the entrance but is still non- English
F- Proficient
W- waives ESL Services
T- transition

9. Entrance Exam
Every person that fills out the language survey and says that English is not the primary language spoken at home must be assessed.
The WIDA Screener or WIDA ACCESS Placement Test (WAP-T) is given by the ESL teacher
Please ask your principal to contact the ESL Coordinator ASAP when you suspect English is not the home language

10. WIDA ACCESS 2.0 Assessment
The WIDA ACCESS 2.0 (Assessing Comprehension and Comprehension in English State-to-State for English Learners) is the standardized test for K-12 given annually to EL students to determine their proficiency in English.
The testing window is in February and March.
The test is comprehensive and includes the four language domains: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
It is untimed and may be time-consuming.
It is administered by the ESL teacher.
Language Proficiency Levels ( )

11. What about the State Tests?
All EL students must participate in regular state testing for their grade level and content area
EL students may receive testing accommodations for all assessments

12. Individual Learning Plan
Beginning with the school year, all EL students are required to have individual learning plans (ILPs) and growth trajectories for English proficiency.
An ILP is a document that describes the academic and language needs of, and goals for, and EL.
It is created by ESL teachers in collaboration with other teachers, leaders, counselors, parents, and/or the student.

13. How Am I Supposed to Teach Them?
Modifications-
Shorter and differentiated reading assignments as needed. It still needs to challenge them.
Pre-teaching- present and familiarize them with the material
Familiarize them with vocabulary
Meet with ESL teacher to assist with modifications
Avoid using auditory-only methods of instruction
Include as many visual aids as possible

14. Can You Repeat That
Pre-School & Kindergarten: Phonics, Vocabulary, Computer programs for enrichment of vocabulary and phonics, audio books, labels throughout the room
Grades 1-2: Phonics, read with them, audio books, labels throughout the room
Grades 3-12: Pre-teaching, Vocabulary, Modifications and computer programs, audio books, labels throughout the room, consult ESL teacher
Identified EL students will receive up to 1 hour of instruction per day with an ESL teacher

15. Contact Information
Merideth Lawson- ESL Coordinator
Please with any questions and/or concerns that you may have.