What strategy can help support students who are English language learners?

Implementing visual supports and scaffolding language instruction is an effective strategy for supporting English language learners (ELLs) because it addresses their diverse linguistic needs. Visual supports can include images, charts, gestures, and graphic organizers that enhance understanding by providing context and making abstract concepts more concrete. This is crucial for ELLs who may struggle with language comprehension.

Scaffolding language instruction involves breaking down complex language tasks into manageable parts and providing temporary support to help students gradually build their language skills. This might include modeling language, providing sentence frames, or using peer mentoring. Such strategies not only foster comprehension and encourage communication but also help ELLs gain confidence in using the language in both academic and social contexts.

In contrast, providing only verbal instructions can overwhelm ELLs, especially if they are not yet proficient in English. Limiting interactions to English-only settings can hinder their ability to learn from peers who might speak their native language. Lastly, encouraging group work without guidance may lead to frustration and confusion, as without appropriate support, ELLs may struggle to engage fully with their peers. Thus, the combination of visual supports and scaffolded instruction effectively meets the needs of ELLs in a comprehensive and supportive manner.