Resources

Finding resources to use as a teacher is always beneficial. There are many resource available to assist you while having an English Language Learner in your class as well as resources to assist the student. Using technology can be especially helpful for students whose primary language is not English. I have included a website below and a short description.

http://eslteachingandtechnology.com 
This is a great resource for both teachers and students.
There are different categories under the teacher's resources such as:

-Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity 

-Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

-Model Digital-Age Work and Learning 

-Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility 

-Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership 

Resources under the student section:

Listening Skills

Speaking Skills 

Reading Skills

Writing Skills 

Additional Learning Resources 

All of the resources in the student section are identified by the TESOL standards.

Home Language Survey

In order for a student to be placed into an ESL program, a home language survey is first administered. In Kentucky, the home language survey must be at least four questions. Taken from the KDE website, the four questions could include.

1. What is the language most frequently spoken at home?

2. Which language did your child learn when he/she first began to talk?

3. What language does your child most frequently speak at home?

4. What language do you most frequently speak to your child?

Placement into the program is dependent on the answers to the survey as well as other assessments that will be administered.

Who are English Language Learners?

It is common that when ESL student or English Language Learner is mentioned, most people think of a Spanish speaking child. This is not the case, it is any child whose primary language that is spoken at home is not English. It is important as a teacher that we are sensitive to all students but especially to those who do not come from the same culture that we do.
I have searched how to better prepare yourself when having an ESL student in your classroom. I have included the top 10 list taken from http://www.teachersfirst.com/content/esl/eslhintintro.cfm. You can also click on each of the statements below and a link will appear below if you would like more information.

10. Become familiar with ESL websites

  9. Have realistic expectations of your ESL student.

  8. Check your own attitude.

  7. Capitalize on holidays.

  6. Try to incorporate aspects of your student’s culture into your plans.

  5. Give the students extra grammar practice.

  4. Work on your language skills.

  3. Provide extra vocabulary help with every lesson.

  2. Learn about gestures from other cultures.

  1. Don’t assume students know how the American educational system works.

ACCESS Test

The ACCESS test is administered to English Language Learners and is used to identify where the student is within the English Language Proficiency scale. The scale has 6 different areas:
1. Entering
2. Beginning
3. Developing
4. Expanding
5. Bridging
6. Reaching
I have included a link to gain more information about the ACCESS test. http://www.wida.us/assessment/ACCESS/

Standards

Knowing the standards is key to guiding your instruction. In order to effectively meet the needs of your English Language Learners, you need to be exposed to the standards. The links below take you to the WIDA and TESOL standards.

http://wida.us/standards/eld.aspx

http://www.tesol.org

Accommodations

While working with English Language Learners, accommodations will be necessary. These accommodations may be needed with daily classwork as well as assessments. Possible accommodations include:

• Read text in English
• Bilingual/English Dictionary
• prompting and cueing
• using spell check
• providing organizers
• Providing visuals
• oral native language support 
• reading test in the native language
• Providing extended time if needed
• Link current instruction to prior learning 
• Using simplified language
• Use assistive technologies
• Change the pace of instruction
• Constant modeling
• Provide students' opportunities for discussions and interacting

This list was taken from the Kentucky Department of Education's website. Not all accommodations will be used for each student. Accommodations will be determined based off of the students needs.