Topic: English Language Learners (ELLs)

10-second review: Some methods to help the mainstream teacher work with older students who are learning English as a second language.

Title: “Modifying Lessons for English Language Learners.” M Dellicarpini. English Journal (November 2008), 998 – 101. A publication of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).

Summary: Learn the world and culture of the ELL student. Use abridged editions of novels as supplements to the unabridged novel. Use poetry, art, music and short news articles related to the theme of the literature the class is reading.

Comment: Part of a regular column in the English Journal and, this month, written by its editor. For me, most of the articles written about ELLs are piecemeal approaches. I keep looking for some basic, underlying ideas that techniques like these can fit into. (Of course, learning about the world and the culture of the ELL would certainly be basic.) RayS.