Tools to mine for gold with ESL, language minority, and culturally diverse students

• Show objects, draw pictures, or act out the meaning of what you are saying.
• Speak at a slow-to-normal pace, in short sentences.
• Use simple sentence structure (subject, verb, object.)
• Choose your words carefully: use high-frequency words; use names of people or objects rather than pronouns.
• Pause after short sentences. The student may need time to think about the meaning of the words you said. Do not pause after each word.
• Repeat cheerfully. Use the same simple words and simple sentence structures.
• Don’t talk louder than necessary. It sounds angry and doesn’t increase comprehension.
• Write your communication on the board or on paper so students have visual as well as auditory input.

If the Federal Office of Civil Rights audits our school, any member of the school staff who is involved in the education of students may be interviewed. Brush up on the answers to questions regular education teachers could be asked.

The early production or "low beginner" stage of language learning generally lasts several weeks. This is when students begin speaking in English. They make one or two word utterances or may speak in short phrases. Young children go through a similar stage when learning their first language.

When teaching students in the early production stage of English language learning, teachers can ask yes/no questions and questions that can be answered with one or two-word answers or a list. It is important to model correct responses as the student begins to speak. It is not productive at this point to call attention to grammar errors in the student’s spoken English.

These techniques will create a supportive, low-anxiety environment, which will help students move on to speech emergence.

Chanukah, Festival of Lights, marks the victory over the Syrians and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. The word Chanukah means "rededication." Jews celebrate by lighting a candle for each night of this holiday, playing games, singing songs, and eating special foods.