Private: Teaching Reading: 3-5 Workshop

Professional Development > Private: Teaching Reading: 3-5 Workshop > 6. Teaching English Language Learners > 6.2 Analyze the Video | Teaching English Language Learners

English Language Arts

3-5

Analyze the Video | Teaching English Language Learners

Watch the video, "Teaching English Language Learners," taking notes as you watch. After you watch, jot down your answers to the questions below. If you prefer to watch the video in segments, pause the video when you see the next chapter heading.

Video Summary

In this video, Professor Robert Jiménez discusses the strengths that English language learners bring to the classroom, the importance of high expectations, and the benefits of connecting students’ cultures with curriculum. You will also see classroom examples that illustrate the research-based strategies Professor Jiménez describes. As you watch the video, consider the following questions:

Where do I start?
How can I build on what English language learners bring to the classroom?
How can the classroom context support English language learners?
What are some strategies for teaching English language learners?

Where do I start?

In the first video segment, Professor Jiménez explores common views of English language learners, and how teachers can use what they know about literacy instruction and their students to maximize learning. (If you are watching the video in segments, you will find this image at the beginning of the video.)

How can teachers’ expectations of English language learners affect students’ learning and performance?
How can you use what you already know about literacy instruction and your English language learners to enhance their learning?

How can I build on what English language learners bring to the classroom?

In this segment, Professor Jiménez argues that students’ language and cultural diversity should be viewed as an asset rather than a liability. (If you are watching the video in segments, you will find this image approximately six minutes into the video.)

Think about your English language learners. What ideas from the video might be useful in your classroom?
How can you ensure that English language learners and their English-speaking peers have equal access to the curriculum?
How can you support students in maintaining their first language?

How can the classroom context support English language learners?

In this segment, Professor Jiménez stresses the importance of including many cultural materials (books, dictionaries, wall displays) that reflect the backgrounds of the English language learners in the class. (If you are watching the video in segments, you will find this image approximately 12 minutes into the video.)

How can you use multicultural literature to support English language learners in your curriculum?
How does your classroom reflect the nature of the community itself as well as materials written by the students?
How can you group students so that they use their native language to support their language and literacy development?

What are some strategies for teaching English language learners?

In the final video segment, Professor Jiménez discusses instructional strategies for working with English language learners in the classroom. (If you are watching the video in segments, you will find this image approximately 15 minutes into the video.)

What aspects of reading development are most critical to address when instructing English language learners?
How can modeling oral reading support English language learners?
What strategies can you use to teach students how to figure out and remember unknown words?
What are some strategies you might use to encourage students’ to maintain their native language as they develop literacy in English?

Series Directory

Private: Teaching Reading: 3-5 Workshop

Credits

Produced by WGBH Educational Foundation. 2006.

Closed Captioning
ISBN: 1-57680-815-7

Sections

6.1 Before You Watch | Teaching English Language Learners

6.2 Analyze the Video | Teaching English Language Learners

Watch the video, "Teaching English Language Learners," taking notes as you watch. After you watch, jot down your answers to the questions below. If you prefer to watch the video in segments, pause the video when you see the next chapter heading.

6.3 Extend Your Knowledge | Teaching English Language Learners

6.4 Put It Into Practice | Teaching English Language Learners

6.5 Reflect on Your Learning | Teaching English Language Learners

Supplementary: Examine the Literature Response Chart

Handout

Supplementary: It's a Difference That Changes Us: An Alternative View of the Language and Literacy Learning Needs of Latina/o Students

Handout

Supplementary: Making Content Instruction Accessible for English Language Learners

Handout

Supplementary: Evaluating Multicultural Literature Chart

Handout

Workshops

Workshop 1 Creating Contexts for Learning

This session examines how classroom organization, routines, and grouping practices can enhance literacy skills in the middle grades. Literacy expert Jeanne Paratore discusses teaching strategies that foster reading and writing skills. Classroom examples illustrate the research.

Workshop 2 Fluency and Word Study

This session focuses on how students in the middle grades develop vocabulary and reading fluency. Literacy expert Richard Allington discusses specific teaching strategies that help build fluency and vocabulary, illustrated by classroom examples.

Workshop 3 Building Comprehension

Comprehending text is one of the main goals of reading. In this session, literacy expert Nell Duke discusses what good readers do and strategies teachers can use to help students build comprehension skills. Classroom footage provides examples of comprehension strategies.

Workshop 4 Writing

This workshop examines the relationship between reading and writing in the middle grades. Literacy expert Nadeen Ruiz discusses the connections, conventions, and inventions that provide a framework for teaching writing, illustrated by classroom examples.

Workshop 5 New Literacies of the Internet

This workshop focuses on the evolving use of networked technology in education. Literacy expert Donald Leu discusses strategies that help students effectively read, write, and communicate on the Internet. Classroom examples illustrate strategies for using Internet resources in the classroom.

Workshop 6 Teaching English Language Learners

Changing classroom demographics call for a range or teaching strategies. In this session, literacy expert Robert Jim�nez discusses strategies teachers can use to create a successful learning environment for all students, while supporting English language learners. Classroom examples illustrate the research.

Workshop 7 Teaching Diverse Learners

In this session, literacy expert Dorothy Strickland discusses how teachers can meet the diverse needs of readers and writers in their classrooms. Classroom examples and teaching strategies address different aspects of diversity, including culture, language, background, ability, and learning approaches.

Workshop 8 Assessment and Accountability

This session explores assessment, standards, and outcomes. Literacy expert Kathy Au discusses the strategies teachers can use to assess students' understanding in reading and writing. Classroom examples illustrate how students can participate in their own assessment.