ESOL Accommodations in the Regular Ed classroom
IDEAS for beginners:
1. Seat them near the front of the class. This will keep them engaged.
2. Talk to them when they come into the class and ask them slow, simple questions.
This will make them feel like a part of the class and will hopefully encourage them to
stay engaged with what is going on in your class everyday.
3. Only use print on the board, on your notes or on your tests. It's much easier to
read. Give them copies of your notes before class! Simplify them if needed.
4. Simplify the language of your notes and tests for them. I can help you with this for
your first chapter or so to help you get the idea. If you're really feeling adventuresome,
plug the notes into a translation program like babblefish on "altavista.com". They do a
decent job if your notes are in rather simple English.
5. Use lots of pictures, outlines, diagrams, graphic organizers, gestures, facial
expressions, etc. to convey ideas. Be animated.
6. Find a self-motivated and interested student who could be their language helper and
tutor in and out of your class (if there is such a student!!!). Try to connect them with
after school tutoring in your subject area.
7. Don't even think about focusing on everything a regular kid needs to know. Choose
the most important vocabulary and concepts to hone in on and assess. You really need
to simplify your most important objectives and then have the student work on learning
these.
8. On quizzes and tests, don't give them as many options to choose from on multiple
choice type questions. Write simple directions and be willing to rephrase them orally
until the student understands. Stay away from complex word problems and wordy
essay-style questions for your ESOL student. While other students are testing, spend
time to make sure your ESOL student understands questions and directions.
9. Contact the publisher of your textbook to see if they have any resources available in
the language of your student. Spanish would be most likely.
10. Find materials and readers on a level appropriate to the student but that still deals
with the content being discussed in your class.
11. Construct assessments that demonstrate what you have given to them by way of
accommodations. Mark off for only what you’ve taught your student.
IDEAS for intermediates and advanced:
1. Seat them near the front of the class. This will keep them engaged.
2 Speak to the student one-on-one at the beginning or end of class to see how they are
doing and follow up on new assignments
3. Only use print on the board, on your notes or on your tests. It's much easier to
read. Give them copies of your notes before class!
4. Simplify the language of your notes and tests for them as needed.
5. Use lots of pictures, outlines, diagrams, graphic organizers, etc.
6. Find a self-motivated and interested student who could be their language helper and
tutor in and out of your class (if there is such a student!!!)
7. Don't focus on every detail a regular English kid needs to know. Choose the most
important vocabulary and concepts to hone in on and assess.
8. On quizzes and tests, don't give them as many options to chose from on multiple
choice type questions. Write simple directions and be willing to rephrase them orally
until the student understands.
9. Find alternate methods of assessment focusing on ways to allow your ESOL student
to prove understanding.
10. Allow more time for tests, quizzes, projects
11. Don't count off for spelling, grammar or writing mistakes (unless that is the reason
for the assessment)
12. Allow them to use a bilingual dictionary if needed
13. Realize your student is reading in English on about a 4th to 5th grade level, so
long sections will take much longer to read (if they are even able to at all). If they are
struggling with the material, try to find readers or alternate texts written on a lower
reading level.