Strategies for

teachers of English
language learners
A. Khazaei (PhD)
QUSETION:

HOW CAN WE MAKE

LEARNING MORE
SUSTAINABLE?
THE CONE OF LEARNING
 KEY CONCEPTS of SECOND
LANGUAGE ACQUISITION
• IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THESES CONCEPTS:
• Silent Period: The first stage of SLA. Students will be able to
understand, even if they cannot express themselves.
• Affective Filter: An imaginary wall that students will put up when they
are in a high-anxiety, stressful classroom, or be corrected too many
times. This will impede learning immediately.
• Comprehensive Input, Output: Comprehensive input is Krashen’s
theory that students learn by hearing language that is slightly above
their current level Comprehensive input + 1). Comprehensive Output
is what the student can produce at his current level of language.
 STRATEGIES FOR TEACHING
ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS
• When speaking …………
• Talk slow!! Learners need time to process what you are saying.
• Repeat, Paraphrase, Reparaphrase! Many times learners will not hear
or understand what you say the first time. By stating it again or in a
different way, the students have a better chance of understanding.
• Use language level appropriate vocabulary! This may not be the
same level as the rest of your students.
• YOUR SUGGESTIONS?
 STRATEGIES CONTINUED
• With vocabulary ……………
• Pre-teaching vocabulary and important definitions will help learners once
the unit or lesson begins. It will also give you a good idea of where your
learner is at regarding the material.
• Introduce the essential vocabulary.
• Provide a word bank for fill-in-the-blanks (no more than 5 is a good rule of
thumb, depending on the level of student).
• Try to keep definitions the same (notes, worksheets, assessments, etc.)
• Provide extra vocabulary practice when available.
• YOUR SUGGESTIONS?
 STRATEGIES CONTINUED
• With writing …
• The pre-writing stage is an important step so that writing is not
translated!!
*focus on generating oral sentences, making graphic organizers,
brainstorming, and modeling language level appropriate sentences.
• Use journalizing! This is a great way for students to have an
opportunity to write without worrying about making mistakes. This
may feel the most comfortable expressing themselves this way.
• YOUR SUGGESTIONS?
 STRATEGIES CONTINUED
• With correcting …
• Put away the red pen!! Learners are still in the process of learning
grammar and spelling, try not to correct every mistake.
• Repeat a phrase that the learners said incorrectly back to him or her.
This will allow the student hear the correct pronunciation or grammar
without making him or her fell self-conscious.
• YOUR SUGGESTIONS?
 STRATEGIES CONTINUED
• With note taking …..
• Make use of guided notes, or a fill-in-the-blank notes page. This will allow
learners to focus on listening to the lesson, rather than trying to copy down
everything.
• Graphic organizers are a great way for learners to organize information
• Be sure to state exactly what you expect for an assignment so that learners
know what to study.
• Use small group discussion before having students begin writing or
independent work. Learners will feel less intimidated if they are able to
discuss the assignment with a few peers.
• YOUR SUGGESTIONS?
 STRATEGIES CONTINUED
• Plan units with small “chunks” (comprehension checks) instead of one
unit with a single assessment.
• Use non-verbal communication and context clues to give meaning for
instruction or vocabulary. Pictures, gestures, and maps are great ideas.
• Think- pair- share! Learners will feel more comfortable working with a
peer.
• Accommodations such as the use of dictionary, having tests read aloud,
or a different final project (poster instead of essay, talk with teacher
instead of presentation in front of class, etc.) are great ideas as well.
 USE TECHNOLOGY TO GAIN
INSPIRATION AND INTEREST
AMONGST STUDENTS
• Talk to students about converting their FACEBOOK or INSTAGRAM
profiles to English, rather than leaving them in their native language.
• Play fun video clips in English aimed at the age group of the students.
• No matter whatever age group innovating teaching strategy
technology can be a true driver of interest for students to use outside
the classroom.
• Set up groups of peers to work on an English vide clip.
• YOUR SUGGESTIONS?
 “HELPFUL HINTS” FOR
WORKING WITH L. LEARNERS
• Have realistic expectations for learners! Imagine how hard it would
be to learn a different language in such conditions.
• It isn’t important to get rid of accent, but to promote
comprehensible communication! In other words, speak slowly and
clearly, and have your students do the same.
• Include learners in ALL classroom activities.
• Take advantage of any possible occasions like videos on celebrations,
events, etc.
• YOUR SUGGESTIONS?
 AND REMEMBER …

•WE ARE A TEAM

• I am here not only to help L. learners
acquire the language, but also to plan and
brainstorm ideas, projects, and assessments
for L. learners with you!!
 STRATEGIES OF TEACHING
ENGLISH
• NARRATION:
• DESCRIPTION:
• EXPOSITION:
• REVIEW:
• GROUP DISCUSSION:
• ROLE PLAYING:
• DRAMATIZATION:
• BRAIN STORMING:
• BUZZ SESSION:
• SIMULATION:
• DEBATE:
• SYMPOSIUM:
• SEMINAR:
 THANK
YOU ALL !!