English Learners

For English learners (ELs), the principles of vocabulary instruction are essentially the same as for non-EL peers, but need to be implemented more consciously and intensively so they can seize every opportunity to learn. 

If English learners’ home language is a Romance language, they have the advantage that many English words may be similar and familiar. In those cases, all they need is a new label. Teachers of ELs should explore with their students what cognates with their home languages exist and how they can be helpful. 

Tips for teachers of English learners: 
  • Preview lessons to check for colloquial expressions or idioms that may be unfamiliar to the students in your class. 
  • Preview lessons to see if there are cognates that are relevant to the home language(s) of the ELs in your class. 
  • Pre-teach vocabulary definitions before students encounter new vocabulary in texts. 
  • Display new words on the classroom wall, if possible, in the home language of students.
  • Use gestures to represent each vocabulary word's meaning. 
  • Encourage students to make a sketch or make a written note that will remind them of the meaning of each vocabulary word.
  • Use vocabulary cards with images that help cement word meaning.
  • Lead students in regular word chants of the vocabulary words.
  • Post sentence frames in the classroom to assist students with limited proficiency in joining discussions using the vocabulary words.