English+as+a+Second+Language+(ESL)


 * English as a Second Language**

**ESL Curriculum Framework**
On the Pennsylvania Department of Education Standards Aligned System (SAS) website, there is a curriculum framework for English Language Learners for the four domains of Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing in the areas of Math and Literacy. These [|ELL Overlays]provide Formative Instruction and the Assessment Framework based on Common Core concepts and competencies. The K-12 ELL curriculum should follow the 2012 WIDA English Language Development (ELD) Standards. These standards now provide connections to Common Core in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Social and Instructional Language.

**The English Language Learner in the Content Classroom**
The WIDA Can Do Descriptors are a great resource for ESL Specialists to use as they coach content area teachers on ways to differentiate instruction for the ELL in the classroom. They are written by grade level clusters and provides a basic overview of the skills the ELL is //able to do// based on the students' proficiency level in Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.

RtII and English Language Learners
When implementing RtII for ELLs, there are components that must be considered - components that are different from native English speakers. In this podcast, Dr. Janette Klingner discusses some challenges in RtII for ELLs and how understanding the differences between L1 and L2 acquisition are so important for the framework's success. media type="custom" key="18567520" align="left" //Source: JanetteKlingnerPodcast-RtIIConsiderationsForELLs//

**Assessments**
Assessments for ELLs should be done in the four domains: Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking. Writing and Speaking assessments should be scored using a rubric that provides a scoring guideline across uniform criteria. Here are the rubrics WIDA provides for use on their assessments. These are the same rubrics I use for my own classroom assessments.

2nd Language Acquisition
It is important for teachers to understand the 2nd language acquisition theory and how it applies to ELLs. Jim Cummins' theory differentiates between social and academic language and this is presented with two language stages: Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS) & Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP).

iPad Apps for English Language Learners
There are many apps out there, you just have to try them out and see if they work for your student. I've listed some of my favorites.

__**Mobile Educatio**__**__n Tools__ -** They have many different apps that provide great visuals and language practice.
Apps include: Sentence Builder, Preposition Builder, Conversation Builder, Question Builder, and even Language Builder (just to name a few). @http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/prepositionbuilder/id413939528?mt=8

**__Innovative Mobile Apps__ -** The app Action Words provides great visual corresponding to the action.
@http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/action-words/id511783094?mt=8

**__Oxford Advanced American Dictionary__ -** Combines academic vocabulary, images, and audio.
@http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/oxford-advanced-american-dictionary/id443411692?mt=8

**__Montessorium__** - Great apps for early literacy and math.
@http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/intro-to-letters-by-montessorium/id387232375?mt=8

**ESL Educator Resources**
English as a Second Language, Pennsylvania Department of education @http://www.pde.state.pa.us/esl/site/default.asp

Pennsylvania Department of Education, web-based portal for English as a Second Language (ESL) resources. []

RTI Action Network http://www.rtinetwork.org

Alliance for Excellent Education www.all4ed.org [|www.TheEnglishConnection.com]

Colorin Colorado: A bilingual site for families and educators. []

CAELA Network @http://www.cal.org/caelanetwork/

Carnegie Reporter @http://www.carnegie.org/reporter/index.html

Center for Applied Linguistics www.cal.org

Center for Multilingual, Multicultural Research, University of Southern California @http://www.usc.edu/dept/education/CMMR/