ELL Shadowing as a Catalyst for Change

Description

Experience a day in the life of an ELL

What if you could barely understand what your teacher is saying? Imagine working mostly independently and silently, with limited opportunities to interact with others. The process of ELL shadowing helps teachers better understand the classroom experience from an English language learner’s point of view. The author describes how to implement this easily accessible form of professional development, outlines specific strategies for adapting instruction to engage ELLs, and provides academic language development videos. The benefits of ELL shadowing are many, and include:

– Increased teacher sensitivity to ELLs’ school experiences

– A heightened sense of urgency to help ELLs to learn academic language and content

– Improved classroom instruction that spreads throughout schools and districts

More engaged students who are more likely to stay in school and reach their potential

The text includes a detailed case study of shadowing an English language learner and examples of the range of ELLs in our nation’s schools. Readers will also find background on the importance of academic oral language development, the complete ELL Shadowing protocol, and a guide for preparing a personalized professional learning plan for ELL instruction. We cannot and must not rest until we give every group of students the kind of education that they deserve. The time is now, and this book shows you how.