Accommodations and Modifications
for
English Language Learners (ELLs)
Adapt material to coincide with the student’s current level of English language
proficiency. (See “CAN DO” descriptors for models of expected performance. These
can be found on our website--Services, ESL Resources, Resources for Teachers
http://www.bensalemsd.org/1440101279155733/blank/browse.asp?A=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&C=63812
)
Teachers and students may find it useful to use a translation website such as Google
Translate. The speaker icon
can be selected to read the text in the various
languages. The link below contains more information such as translating webpages,
documents, etc.: http://support.google.com/translate/
Target---focus on---the big ideas of the content through the identification of main
principles, achievable objectives, and key vocabulary.
Give fewer/shorter assignments.
Enhance the comprehensibility of the material through clear, concise, simplified
language use, instructional clarification, examples and visual aides (pictures from
texts or the Internet, write information on the board whenever possible, use
PowerPoint, manipulatives, gestures, story maps, graphic organizers, models,
demonstrations).
Pair the ELL with a student that speaks their native language or with a helpful
English-speaking student.
Repetition and review of content at regular intervals.
Grade written assignments for content as opposed to mechanics, syntax, and other
advanced writing skills.
When speaking to ELLs it may be necessary to speak more slowly, repeat information
and use simple language.
Give scheduled breaks (assessments/assignments can be especially mentally taxing
on ELLs).
Give extended time for assignments.
Allow a verbal response to assignments rather than a written response.
While other students are working on assignments that may be too difficult for the
ELL, have them:
o Create small, labeled drawings of objects related to the current unit. (see pages
8-9)
o Create/study vocabulary worksheets/flashcards for academic vocabulary
related to the current unit being studied. (see pages 6-9)
o Use the Internet (translation web sites) to search for or translate information
related to a current topic being studied in class.
o Complete work in their English picture dictionary workbook. (Level 1 ELLs)
o Use an ESL web site (see page 5).
Created by: Marlene Guidos - Updated 8/26/12 Page 1
Vocabulary:
o Have the student write definitions/vocabulary words in both English and their
native language. They can use the Internet or a bilingual dictionary to look up
the definitions/vocabulary words in their native language (see page 4Translation Web Sites and pages 6-9 vocabulary worksheets).
o Use flashcards for vocabulary. Have the student make flash cards with the
vocabulary word, definition (in English and in the students first language) and
picture if possible.
Note Taking:
o Give the ELL a copy of the notes so they can focus on listening to the lecture.
It may be more important for the student to focus on what you are saying
rather than struggling to write notes and listen to what you are saying at the
same time.
o Give the student a “Structured Note Taker” (an outline of the notes that they
complete as you are speaking).
When reading aloud from a textbook/worksheet, have the ELL follow along. A peer
can be helpful in making sure that the ELL is following along at the proper location in
the text.
Give the ELL a sentence starter for written assignments.
Allow the ELL to use:
o Translation website, bilingual dictionary
o A word processor
o Calculator
o Extra paper, highlighters, etc.
o Traditional or electronic dictionary
o Smartphone or iPad
o A textbook that is translated into the native language of the student (if
available)
Assessments
Provide a study guide.
Choose important/main ideas for assessment.
Give matching or multiple-choice assessments.
Supply a word bank.
Reduce response choices on tests (less multiple choice choices).
Reduce the number of test questions.
Allow the use of textbook/notes/translation dictionary/calculator/translation website
during tests.
Allow multiple testing sessions.
Exempt student from portions of the test.
Eliminate essay questions for lower-level ELLs.
Allow the student to retake the parts of the test where they scored poorly.
Chunk the questions into smaller groups of questions.
Created by: Marlene Guidos - Updated 8/26/12 Page 2
Give extended time for tests.
Provide a version of the test with simplified language.
Assess the students knowledge by allowing them to show they gained an
understanding of the content using assessments other than traditional tests:
o A drawing
o A PowerPoint
o A poster
o A portfolio
o An oral explanation
Created by: Marlene Guidos - Updated 8/26/12 Page 3
Internet Translation Tools
Translation Web Sites
1) translate.google.com
2) www.dictionary.com (select “translator” tab)
 Over 50 languages
3) www.freetranslate.com
 Good Spanish Translator
4) www.nicetranslator.com (click on the down arrow next to
“Translator – add, remove” to select the language(s))
 Arabic, Bulgarian, Catalan, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish,
Dutch, English, Filipino, Finish, French, German, Greek,
Hebrew, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latvian,
Lithuanian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian,
Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Ukrainian,
Vietnamese
5) http://bab.la/dictionary/
 Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish,
Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish, Russian, Turkish
6) http://www.websters-onlinedictionary.org/translation/Haitian+Creole/
 Haitian Creole
7) http://www.bengalinux.org/english-to-bengali-dictionary/
http://bengalinux.sourceforge.net/cgi-bin/anubadok/index.pl
 Bengali
8) http://www.gujaratilexicon.com/
http://utopianvision.co.uk/gujarati/dictionary/
 Gujarati
9) http://www.nigeriandictionary.com/
 Igbo, Hausa, Pidgin, Yoruba
Created by: Marlene Guidos - Updated 8/26/12 Page 4
www.mathway.com (You type in your math problem and “mathway”
provides the steps to solve the problem and provides the answer.)
www.khanacademy.org (Very helpful academic videos.)
www.starfall.com
www.manythings.org
www.esl-kids.com
a4esl.org
www.storylineonline.net
readwritethink.org/student_mat/index.asp
www.bogglesworldesl.com
www.eslcafe.com
www.freerice.com/subjects.php
www.kidsnewsroom.org
pbskids.org/readingrainbow
www.todaypage.org
www.quizhub.com
www2.scholastic.com/browse/learn.jsp
Created by: Marlene Guidos - Updated 8/26/12 Page 5
Name____________________________________________________
Use a bilingual dictionary or a translation website such as; translate.google.com;
www.dictionary.com; www.freetranslation.com
Vocabulary Word
English
Definition
Other Language
English
Other Language
English
Other Language
English
Other Language
English
Other Language
Created by: Marlene Guidos - Updated 8/26/12 Page 6
Name____________________________________________________
Use a bilingual dictionary or a translation website such as; translate.google.com;
www.dictionary.com; www.freetranslation.com
Vocabulary Word
English
Picture
Other Language
English
Other Language
English
Other Language
English
Other Language
English
Other Language
Created by: Marlene Guidos - Updated 8/26/12 Page 7
Definition
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Created by: Marlene Guidos - Updated 8/26/12 Page 8
Name _________________________________________________
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Created by: Marlene Guidos - Updated 8/26/12 Page 9