After exploring a few of the common misconceptions that teachers and parents have regarding english language learners it is time to look at effective practices for helping your english language learner as you about answering the question "How do I support my English Language Learner academically and socially?" Here are a some simple tips that can assist you in developing a plan to provide adequate support for your child:
1. Make homework part of your child's daily routine.
Making sure that your child is on task with his or her studies is a difficult but vital role that you as a parent fulfill.10
Making sure that your child is on task with his or her studies is a difficult but vital role that you as a parent fulfill.10
2. Make a personal dictionary of English words for your student to use.
This is a fun activity to do at home, which will assist your child in systematically practicing and perfecting their English and word usage.11
This is a fun activity to do at home, which will assist your child in systematically practicing and perfecting their English and word usage.11
3. Make reading a part of your child's daily routine.
Reading to and/or with your child will assist them in becoming more familiar and comfortable with the English langauge. Modeling proper pronunciation and proper speaking habits will assist your child in acquiring English as a second language. According to the website ColorinColorado "research shows that it's vitally important for children to have a good start in reading. In fact, repeatedly reading aloud to or with your child has been shown to improve non-fluent elementary oral reading and accuracy rates. reading aloud is useful for vocabulary acquisition, because when learners interact they may begin to notice communication gaps, negotiate meaning, and receive feedback from their instructor or peers, which will be helpful in progressing in both areas of the child's Basic Interpersonal Communications Skills as well as their Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency. Make it a point to regularly read with your child or take your child to your local library to select literature that will provide them with opportunities to develop and perfect their English language skills.12
Reading to and/or with your child will assist them in becoming more familiar and comfortable with the English langauge. Modeling proper pronunciation and proper speaking habits will assist your child in acquiring English as a second language. According to the website ColorinColorado "research shows that it's vitally important for children to have a good start in reading. In fact, repeatedly reading aloud to or with your child has been shown to improve non-fluent elementary oral reading and accuracy rates. reading aloud is useful for vocabulary acquisition, because when learners interact they may begin to notice communication gaps, negotiate meaning, and receive feedback from their instructor or peers, which will be helpful in progressing in both areas of the child's Basic Interpersonal Communications Skills as well as their Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency. Make it a point to regularly read with your child or take your child to your local library to select literature that will provide them with opportunities to develop and perfect their English language skills.12
4. Encourage your child to attend school regularly.
Many English Language Leaners will be confronted with anxiety when encountering the classroom. When encountering anxiety your child may be less compelled to take risks, which could negatively effect their education and acquiring English as a second language. Encourage your child to attend school and frequently remind them to remain positive about their academic opportunities.13
Many English Language Leaners will be confronted with anxiety when encountering the classroom. When encountering anxiety your child may be less compelled to take risks, which could negatively effect their education and acquiring English as a second language. Encourage your child to attend school and frequently remind them to remain positive about their academic opportunities.13
5. Make sure that your child is prepared and punctual for school.
Routinely check to ensure that you child is prepared for his or her school day by performing routine backpack and binder checks for necessary materials such as homework, books, and supplies.14
Routinely check to ensure that you child is prepared for his or her school day by performing routine backpack and binder checks for necessary materials such as homework, books, and supplies.14
6. Help your student in pronunciation of words.
Modeling the proper pronunciation of words will assist your child in developing their spelling, reading, and English speaking abilities.15
Modeling the proper pronunciation of words will assist your child in developing their spelling, reading, and English speaking abilities.15
7. Watch appropriate English language television programs and movies.
Watching appropriate television programs and movies that are presented in English can assist in developing your child's English language skills, as well as make your child more comfortable with the English language.16
Watching appropriate television programs and movies that are presented in English can assist in developing your child's English language skills, as well as make your child more comfortable with the English language.16
8. Make it a point to speak English within the home at some point during the day.
Designating a time to speak in English at home will assist in making your child more comfortable with the English language and provide opportunities for he or she to meaningfully develop and perfect their English skills.17
Designating a time to speak in English at home will assist in making your child more comfortable with the English language and provide opportunities for he or she to meaningfully develop and perfect their English skills.17
9. Enroll your student in a sports team or club.
Enrolling your child into a club or sports team will increase their basic interpersonal communication skills (BICS) through opportunities to practice their language skills.
Enrolling your child into a club or sports team will increase their basic interpersonal communication skills (BICS) through opportunities to practice their language skills.
10. Encourage your student to speak in their native tongue and promote their culture.
Encourage your child to take pride in their cultural heritage and do not discourage them from using their native tongue.18
Encourage your child to take pride in their cultural heritage and do not discourage them from using their native tongue.18
11. Form a relationship with your student's teachers and school administrators.
The creation of an intimate and supportive classroom atmosphere can assist in making your English Language Learner more comfortable within an unfamiliar environment.
The creation of an intimate and supportive classroom atmosphere can assist in making your English Language Learner more comfortable within an unfamiliar environment.
12. Have your child write about their identity and experiences.
Some English Language Learners struggle with cultural adjustment when placed into a new classroom. Allowing students to write about their experiences will allow them to share their "unique narratives" while simultaneously developing and perfecting their English language skills. Have your child sit down at home and write about their experiences in a journal or propose the idea to your child's teacher as a class project. It could go a long way in making your child more comfortable within their new classroom.19
Some English Language Learners struggle with cultural adjustment when placed into a new classroom. Allowing students to write about their experiences will allow them to share their "unique narratives" while simultaneously developing and perfecting their English language skills. Have your child sit down at home and write about their experiences in a journal or propose the idea to your child's teacher as a class project. It could go a long way in making your child more comfortable within their new classroom.19
10. Bedford Public Schools "ELL: How Parents Can Help"
11. Saint James School "Tips for Parents of English Language Learners"
12. Saint James School "Tips for Parents of English Language Learners"
13. Caleb Prichard and Dan Ferreira "The Effects of Poster Presentations and Class Presentations on Low-Proficiency Learners"
14. L.C. Schmitt Elementary School "Tips for Parents of ESL Students: Top 10 Tips for Parents of English Language Learners"
15. L.C Schmitt Elementary School "Tips for Parents of ESL Students: Top 10 Tips for Parents of English Language Learners"
16. Saint James School "Tips for Parents of English Language Learners"
17. L.C. Schmitt Elementary School "Tips for Parents of ESL Students: Top 10 Tips for Parents of English Language Learners"
18. Saint James School "Tips for Parents of English Language Learners"
19. David Mish "Sharing Stories: English Language Learners Become English Language Authors"
11. Saint James School "Tips for Parents of English Language Learners"
12. Saint James School "Tips for Parents of English Language Learners"
13. Caleb Prichard and Dan Ferreira "The Effects of Poster Presentations and Class Presentations on Low-Proficiency Learners"
14. L.C. Schmitt Elementary School "Tips for Parents of ESL Students: Top 10 Tips for Parents of English Language Learners"
15. L.C Schmitt Elementary School "Tips for Parents of ESL Students: Top 10 Tips for Parents of English Language Learners"
16. Saint James School "Tips for Parents of English Language Learners"
17. L.C. Schmitt Elementary School "Tips for Parents of ESL Students: Top 10 Tips for Parents of English Language Learners"
18. Saint James School "Tips for Parents of English Language Learners"
19. David Mish "Sharing Stories: English Language Learners Become English Language Authors"