Elements of Effective Instruction for an ELL

Find ways to help students see
themselves as learners, reflecting
on progress and setting new goals
for themselves

Instil belief in students as capable learners

Value what students bring with them, including their
prior learning, international experience, cultural insight,
and curiosity

Help students discover their own strengths

Build a sense of community
in the classroom

Model an attitude of inclusion for all.

Use team-building activities to strengthen relationships
among peers

Recognize first language and
culture as tools for learning

Encourage students to speak their first language at
home for continued cognitive growth and positive family relationships

Teach to the cognitive level of the
student to build on higher-order
thinking skills

Provide age-appropriate reading materials and classroom resources that are accessible to students at varying reading levels

Use targeted instruction

Use students’ interests and prior learning

Scaffold all instruction for
meaning

Use students’ interests, strengths, and areas of expertise

Build and extend background knowledge by activating prior knowledge and linking it to new learning

Provide clear guidelines and structure

Recognize the importance of oral
language by incorporating talk into everything that students do

Build on students’ existing understanding of language

Encourage the use of L1 through meaningful activities

Students learn best when the learning is
meaningful to them

Build on prior knowledge

Use collaborative learning

Share learning

Collaborate and consult with staff members