Welcome back to school sweet friends and colleagues. Seeing everyone excited to get this year going has been exciting. I love the “whatever it takes” attitude to get our students, especially our English learners, back to school. As educators, we are anticipating a “different kind” of school year and positive change can happen in the midst of uncertain times. As we begin this year, let’s keep in mind that our English learners have most likely been greatly submerged in their home language since mid March. We know that language acquisition skills have probably decreased and we are ready for the challenge of growing social and academic language this year more so than ever.

A few strategies as we get the year started:

  1. Maintain frequent home communication “whatever it takes.” At the district level we have set up an English learner parent Facebook group for our monthly parent academies, newsletters, and community news. We also have a Remind 101 group to get information to our English learner families quickly. At the ESOL classroom level, our teachers have Google Classrooms for all students who are English learners as well as Remind 101. Staying in touch with our English learner parents is a strong focus this year district wide.
  2. Translate when needed but do not make it a habit. Our goal is to get student’s reading and speaking English “whatever it takes.” We have many tools in our toolboxes for that.
  3. Encourage Writing – All kinds. If the student needs to write in their native language and translate it – perfect. If the student needs a sentence stem – perfect. If the student needs a graphic organizer- perfect. Use rubrics if possible. The WIDA writing rubrics are an invaluable tool.

There are many resources available to you here:

LCSS ESOL PD Classroom

Help! I have English learners in the Classroom

Georgia Department of Education ESOL Program Page

As the year goes on, look for monthly posts here for teaching English learners. Let’s do “whatever it takes” to close language gaps this year.

Excitedly,

Ashlyn M. Williamson, Ed.S.

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Published by Ashlyn Williamson

My husband and I have been married for twenty years. We have four teenage children and currently live in middle Georgia. We enjoy traveling and raising show pigs. I am an ESOL teacher/program coordinator and absolutely love teaching English learners.

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