An A-Z List of ESOL Strategies for PreK-12 Classrooms
Compiled by: J. Govoni
Avoid acronyms and abbreviations; Adapt lessons and assessments to varied English
proficiency levels; and use Apps to support English vocabulary and academic content.
Buddy with an English speaking partner; Build on cultural knowledge and experiences; and
have Bilingual dictionaries accessible in all classrooms.
Cultural backgrounds must be considered; Categorize, Classify, and use Cooperative learning
strategies to promote critical thinking skills; and Check for comprehension through
Cloze activities, Concrete examples, and Computer programs.
Demonstrate appropriate use of the English language; and incorporate Direct instruction,
Drawings, and Dramatizations to check ELs’ comprehension.
Educate yourself on ELs’ cultural backgrounds; Encourage use of native languages in the
classroom; Enhance lessons with visuals; and Establish a positive and comfortable
learning environment.
Form a community of learners in the classroom; and refer to Frayer’s Model of vocabulary
instruction to accommodate ELs’ academic needs.
Graphic organizers and simplified Grammar promote cognitive development; and Guided
reading fosters ELs’ comprehension.
Hands-on experiences and Home-school connections are essential; Highlighting, Heritage
language dictionaries, and Handouts of key learning promote comprehensible
instruction.
Individualized instruction provides an appropriate ESOL modification; and Illustrations and the
Inquiry-based Approach promote ELs’ participation.
Journals and reading logs are ways to check for comprehension; Jogging ELs’ background
knowledge is critical; and Jumping at opportunities to include diverse cultures is crucial.
Keep directions simple; use KWL charts and Kinesthetic activities to support learning; and
remember to Keep a professional attitude.
Label items in the classroom; include LEA to build on ELs’ languages; provide Leveled readers
and resources to modify for comprehensible instruction; and plan for Learning centers.
Modify language; Model step-by-step instruction; Minimize use of idioms; and use
Manipulatives, Maps, and Media resources to support comprehensible instruction.
Negotiate meanings of words to foster the learning process; Notice ELs’ strengths; Nurture
their learning; and provide a welcoming program for Newcomers.
One-on-one instruction is beneficial to the learning process; Open books, Oral reports, and
Outlines are effective ways to check for comprehension.
Predicting, Pre-reading, Pictures, Peer assistance, Parents’ home languages, and Pre-activities
are positive ways to support learning; as well as considering the Proficiency levels of ELs
when planning instruction and assessments.
Questions based on language proficiency and the use of Webb’s or Bloom’s Taxonomy are
beneficial for ELs’ learning.
Read alouds, Role-plays, and Repetition are effective strategies; and it is important to
remember to Research all cultures and Review lesson objectives.
Scaffold information; Simplify grammar and vocabulary; and Sequence, Summarize, and
provide Small-group instruction.
Talk slowly; incorporate TPR and various types of Techonologies; and modify instruction using
Text-to-graphics.
Underline key words and essential details; and Use visuals.
Vary instruction; use Venn diagrams and other Visuals; and Visit with families of ELs.
Wait for ELs’ responses, incorporate Word banks and Whole language activities; and modify
Word choice and sentence structure.
Xerox activities to foster ELs’ comprehension of text; and pay Xtra attention to language and
cultural barriers to promote social and academic growth.
Yack slowly and repeat yourself often; and You, as the teacher or administrator, should be
trained on strategies and assessment protocol to work effectively with a diverse student
population.
Zigzag through lessons to modify for comprehensible instruction, check for student
comprehension, and make appropriate assessment accommodations.