How do I modify
content for ESOL
students in a
regular
classroom?
Created by: Matt Edwards
Asheboro City Schools
Problems ESOL children face
Learning Language and
content at the same time
Culture shock
Lack of former schooling
Anxiety of being different and not being
able to say the right thing
Being homesick
Lack of parent support due to language
problems
Ruby Payne:
Formal register vs. Casual register
Child from Middle class: 3000 words/day in formal
register
Child from Poverty: 500 words/day in formal
register
ESOL child with only Spanish speaking parents: 50
English words/day in formal register
28% of Hispanic children live in poverty (2000
census)
From Ruby Payne: “A Framework for understanding Poverty”
How much do they understand
in a regular class? My problem: I
It takes 1-3 years for
basic conversational
skills to develop
It takes 5-7 years to
understand academic
language (textbooks,
scientific language,
state tests)
Dr. J. Cummings
can talk fluently,
but I can’t
understand the
textbook!
5 easy strategies for
teaching ESOL
students:
1. Pre-teach, post & practice key vocabulary
2. Provide instructional support: visuals, hands-on,
realia, technology
3. Text scaffolding: Simplify texts & assignments
4. Peer tutoring, student-student interaction
5. Modify assessment
= Strategies for at risk students
1. Key vocabulary
Concept definition mapping (Ex: Revolution)
Word walls
Word sorts, categorizing (Ex: American
revolution)
Sketching
Best book:
Picture dictionaries
Oxford Picture
Vocabulary games
dictionary for
content areas
Cloze sentences
2. Instructional support
Hands-on: microscopes, globes
Realia: real life objects
Visuals: transparencies, pictures, models,
maps, charts, timelines,…
Technology: CDs, DVDs, internet
Demonstrations
Related literature (picture books, fiction)
3. Adaptation of content
Graphic organizers
Outlines
Study guides
Highlighted text
Adapted texts
Native language texts
(when available)
4. Peer tutoring
Partner students with English speaking
students for reading activities (Read with,
read to)
Cooperative pairs provide practice and
assistance
Small group discussions provide opportunity
to use English to communicate
Vary grouping configurations
5. Modify assessment
 Informal
assessment
 Quick
writes
 Class work
 Teacher
observations
 Thumbs up/Thumbs
down
 Alternative
assessment
 Creative work



Portfolios
Journals
Projects
Yes, students need to be
assessed individually, on
their language level.
Content area: Language Arts
Use picture books, short texts, high interestlow vocabulary books
Include multi-cultural books (Esperanza rising,
House on Mango Street, Going home)
Teach concepts with easy texts (main idea,
plot, characters, setting)
Sequence stories, create story charts, story
staircases.
Content area: Science
Pre-teach and prioritize vocabulary
Use labeling activities, Hands-on, pictures
Soar to success: Rainforests, Arctic Tundra,
whales, marine biology, snakes
Example: Heat Transfer, Human Body
systems: Respiration
Content area: Social Studies
Use maps, globes, graphs and charts instead of
textbook
Use labeling activities: www.enchantedlearning.com
Culture connection (Migrant workers, immigration,
Hispanic culture)
Soar to Success: Storms, The Mountain of Fire,
Mountains, The Lost expedition, Jesse Jackson
Example: Mesopotamia, Landforms – Picture
dictionary
Content area: Math
Write down numbers
Demonstrate on board
Peer tutoring
Reduce language in word problems
Accept different ways to find a solution
Use Spanish Math books for Non-Speakers
(when available)
Example: Plan and label in Math
Bitte Loesen sie die folgende Aufgabe:
Herr Taylor hat 9 Schueler in seinem Zimmer und
Frau Sprouse hat 5 Schueler in ihrem Buero.
Wieviele Schueler mehr hat Herr Taylor in seinem
Zimmer?
Did you get that???? Put
yourself in your student’s
shoes. It helps our
perception of their troubles.
ESL online Resources
www.language2.com: online
Vocabulary, Grammar, Reading &
Science activities
www.enchantedlearning.com: labeling
activities, maps, science dictionary,
Spanish dictionary
www.esl-images.com: pictures
www.bogglesworld.com: all of the
above
Remember,
To speak slowly and clearly
To repeat and rephrase content
To model what you want them to do
To organize tasks clearly
To let them interact
To let them bring their own, unique culture and
experiences into your classroom
To create an anxiety-free environment
RELAX!!
Your ESL students have a specific,
immediate need that makes them eager
students (even though they may
behave otherwise). It is not an
insurmountable problem. With
patience, kindness, determination, and
willingness on the part of the teacher,
both of you will experience much
success.