KWL Chart

Topic: Who are English Language Learners?

What I KNOW
English is their Second
What can I do to help make
Language
They may not
understand all of the
What motivates them?
terminology or lingo
How do they feel being in this
used in English
They may have
What characteristics do they
different beliefs and
cultural cues
May have come from
Should I be aware of anything
different countries
May view education
differently
What I WANT to know
learning fun and easy for
them?
school?
Most ELLs are second generation and are
have that will prevent/help
me to teach them?
important about their culture
or them as an individual?
What I LEARNED
It is important to encourage them to
speak their native language at home if
they already do because studies show
that if they are literate in one language it
is easier to become literate in another
language. This also helps keep their
individuality
Other countries have different views and
procedures for school, for example they
may have different graduation ages and
hours of school per day.
Some may have interrupted schooling
where they have stopped going to school
for a period of time.
Their personality will affect their learning.
If they are shy, then their affective filter is
high because they are worried about
other things rather than what you are
teaching.
born in the United States. (This surprised
me because I thought most were
immigrants.)
ELLs are held at the same level as non-
ELLs.
Language is important for the ELLS to
survive and thrive in our country.
Without it everyday tasks that we take
for granted are extremely difficult for
them.
It takes a while for the ELLs to develop
both social and academic language: BICS
is 6 months to 4 years and CALP is 4 to 7
years.
It is more important for ELLS to know
how to use the language rather than the
grammar.