In Tennessee, we are lucky to have dedicated ESL teachers and educational assistance in many schools. I came from California where all teachers were ESL certified and there was little to no support for a classroom teacher. Those experiences in California didn't prepare me for the ESL world in Tennessee. However, my classroom and fine art experience was a big bonus.
Over the last decade, I have taught many levels of ESL students. Undoubtably, a newbie would show up right at the most stressful of times...WIDA testing or State testing. And yes, they have to test without knowing a stitch of English! But, I digress. Lets get back to..
What I Do With a Newcomer the First Weeks
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On the first day, my ESL student can walk around school confident they can communicate their basic needs or his/her teachers can communicate to the student. It is a comfort to the student on those first few scary days and a way to show the student you care and want to get to know them. Even if you do not know anything about Google Translate, you will by the end of these lessons. They are step by step beginning with teaching the student how to turn on the device and find the app, to the end scanning a classroom worksheet and responding to the questions on the worksheet.
Sometimes internet access can be 'sketchy'. So, I also made these communication cards. These are more heavily used by my K-1 students who would not handle a device as well. And, not all of my students languages are available with Google Translate. These are a freebie!
After the first Google Translate lesson, I begin also teaching these SURVIVAL LESSONS.
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TPR is nothing new. I use it daily in my regular lessons. I even use Whole Brain Teaching and teach it to my classroom teachers. But what is unique about these lessons are they are used specifically to teach language acquisition FAST! I have a high school teacher friend who does this with High School students. Another who teaches a foreign language this way too (TPRS). MTSU has summer classes to learn a new language in two weeks using TPRS. It is on my bucket list!
I also do lots of thematic vocabulary development with writing. I find teaching students to write sentences with the vocabulary helps students form more oral and written sentences quickly. These lessons can really be used as a template for other vocabulary lists you would like to teach. Unit 2 teaches newcomers singular and plurals with clothing items and colors.
You and your students will love the game boards. You can use them in a center with ANY list of vocabulary picture cards.
INTERACTIVE PRINTABLES!
I also do lots of thematic vocabulary development with writing. I find teaching students to write sentences with the vocabulary helps students form more oral and written sentences quickly. These lessons can really be used as a template for other vocabulary lists you would like to teach. Unit 2 teaches newcomers singular and plurals with clothing items and colors.
You and your students will love the game boards. You can use them in a center with ANY list of vocabulary picture cards.