Equipping ELLs

“Students who have pride in their racial background or ethnic background actually do better in school. They feel a sense of belonging. They’re more engaged. Their grades are better. So it’s really important that we instill that pride in those students and really celebrate that we all look different and that’s what makes us beautiful.” - Jenny LaRocque In today’s episode, I am joined by Jenny LaRoc...

Schools across the United States are welcoming a record number of ELL students who are new to the country and new to the English language. When you’re working with newcomers, it's really important that you take time to get to know them so they feel welcomed and comfortable in the classroom environment. I talk more about this in Episode 3 , so if you haven’t listened, be sure to check it out. It’s...

Every year around this time, we assess our ELL students using the ACCESS test. This test causes stress and overwhelm for many teachers, but in this episode, I want to remind you that you are not defined by the results of this test. Today I'm going to share why you don’t need to stress about ACCESS testing. Plus I’m going to give you a few ways to truly assess your students so that you can celebrat...

What pops into your head when you hear the term “reluctant learners”? Finding a way to reach our reluctant learners can be a challenge, but unlocking the desire to learn in these students and helping them reach their full potential is incredibly rewarding and totally worth it. If you have ELL students who just seem to have no desire to learn the language, you’re not alone. Many teachers are facing...

It can be tempting to reach for worksheets as a quick way to find something to keep your ELL students busy. I’ve done it myself when I felt like I just needed to grab something quick that would save me time. We know that using worksheets and workbooks are not the best way for students to learn a language. We need to provide our students with experiences and opportunities where they can engage with...

Imagine being 15 years old and moving to a new country where you don’t speak the language and being without your family. That’s exactly what today’s guest did when he signed a contract to play professional baseball for the Cincinnati Reds in July 1999. Damaso Espino was born in Panama in 1983. He loved playing baseball, and when an opportunity came along for him to play professionally and continue...

How can you have the biggest impact in helping your ELL students develop their English language skills? As teachers, we are pulled in many directions and constantly need to decide where to focus our time and attention. There are two often overlooked areas that we can focus on that will make a big difference in how well our students will be able to speak, read, and write in English. Today’s episode...

Whether you are an ESL teacher or homeroom teacher, you’re juggling a lot of things and are doing your best to support your ELL students. Sometimes the lines can get blurry when it comes to exactly what that support should look like. Specifically, there seems to be a lot of confusion around what ELLs need and what is not really that beneficial to them. Some of your go-to strategies, even with the...

We live in a monolingual society, and, unfortunately, the belief that English is the superior language is what most of our federal and state laws were founded on and still support. Today’s guest combines her love of learning about language and cultures with a passion for the law, and she is on a mission to make education more equitable for our ELL students. Brooke Boutwell has firsthand experience...

Does getting a newcomer to your classroom cause you to feel stressed and overwhelmed? Having new students join the classroom can be extremely overwhelming to both teachers and students, especially when those students are also new to the language. It can be easy to focus on what newcomers need to learn. However, we have to build trust before students will learn the language. When you spend time pre...

Have you ever stopped to think about how scary it is to learn a language? If you’ve ever visited a foreign country or traveled abroad, you may have experienced how awkward and embarrassing it can feel to make a mistake or not know how to communicate in another language. Our ELL students experience this all the time at school. It can be overwhelming for our students to feel constant anxiety and fea...

Do you ever wonder if you are doing what’s best for your ELL students? You’re not alone. Many teachers feel lost when it comes to the complexities of teaching ELLs. They doubt that what they’re doing is really working, so they constantly change materials and plans, leading to overwhelm and stress. What is the biggest factor that is preventing you from helping your ELLs have greater success? In tod...

Welcome to Equipping ELLs! This podcast will empower you to equip your English Language Learners with the important skills they need to thrive in your classroom and beyond. Whether you teach kindergarten or twelfth grade ELLs, you'll hear practical strategies that you can walk away with and make your own.  In addition to this podcast, you can find more done-for-you resources at inspiringyoung...