FAQ: How do you differentiate a mainstream lesson plan for beginner and for intermediate English language learners?
To be able to differentiate a mainstream lesson plan for diverse learners, you have to use the differentiated approach. This approach requires different options when planning curriculum for teaching diverse learners. Providing different alternative ways to learning entail teachers to plan lessons with an appropriate learning environment, instructional planning, and adequate assessment measures.
How can you create an appropriate learning environment for English language learners?
There are two essential components to create an appropriate learning environment:
How can you create an appropriate lesson plan for students who are in the beginning level and students who are in the intermediate level?
Planning instruction for diverse learners requires multiple teaching approaches. Activate background knowledge and present new information to anchor students into topic. Differentiate instruction through which students’ process information. Create centers that reflect the students’ needs, interests, abilities and readiness depending on their language levels (beginning, intermediate, and advance), as well as linguistic abilities in reading, writing, and content area. Helpful information about differentiated instruction can be found under Understanding by Design at: http://xnet.rrc.mb.ca/glenh/understanding_by_design.htm
How can teachers create adequate assessment measures for English language learners at different stages of language development?
Collect information from the learners through activities during instruction. This information could be from pair-work activities, writing samples, reading activities, role-plays etc. Use grading scales based on the students’ language level. This type of assessment help teachers measures the students’ language progress. Use rubrics or other data representation to display the students’ language abilities. The following links help teacher find practical ideas on how to assess English language learners:
http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content2/practical.assessment.4.html
http://www.colorincolorado.org/webcasts/assessment/
How can you create an appropriate learning environment for English language learners?
There are two essential components to create an appropriate learning environment:
- Teacher attitudes: Teachers must believe that all students can learn.
- Create a learning community in the classroom. Use collaborative learning among students. This will allow students to learn in a flexible environment regardless of student readiness, interests, and needs.
How can you create an appropriate lesson plan for students who are in the beginning level and students who are in the intermediate level?
Planning instruction for diverse learners requires multiple teaching approaches. Activate background knowledge and present new information to anchor students into topic. Differentiate instruction through which students’ process information. Create centers that reflect the students’ needs, interests, abilities and readiness depending on their language levels (beginning, intermediate, and advance), as well as linguistic abilities in reading, writing, and content area. Helpful information about differentiated instruction can be found under Understanding by Design at: http://xnet.rrc.mb.ca/glenh/understanding_by_design.htm
How can teachers create adequate assessment measures for English language learners at different stages of language development?
Collect information from the learners through activities during instruction. This information could be from pair-work activities, writing samples, reading activities, role-plays etc. Use grading scales based on the students’ language level. This type of assessment help teachers measures the students’ language progress. Use rubrics or other data representation to display the students’ language abilities. The following links help teacher find practical ideas on how to assess English language learners:
http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content2/practical.assessment.4.html
http://www.colorincolorado.org/webcasts/assessment/