English Language Learners Case Study

English Language Learners

Cooperative groups are used as a strategy for teaching ELL students. This strategy has been proven effective for teaching content material as well as a second language. In a cooperative group situation students are each given the opportunity to speak and participate. As students work in a group with their peers they can observe the natural conversational language. These face-to-face interactions will promote language skills among students that are learning English. Interesting and well-structured assignments are best for this type of learning situation. An example of an appropriate task would be discussion questions based on a story that has been read in class. When separating students into cooperative groups, it is important to place students with different levels of English acquisition in each group. This allows the students to hear a broad range of language skills as they are being learned by others. The students t hat have already reached Basic Interpersonal Communication (BIC) is able to function well in this type of situation. In the given classroom, the students could be divided into six groups of five students. Each group should consist of at least 2 English speakers, 1 Emergent language learner, and a student with a level of either Cognitive Academic
ELL students can benefit from this strategy in several ways. The Emergent language learners are especially receptive to this strategy. Gestures and charades involved with visual aids are helpful as well. Activities that are hands-on are successful in encouraging ELL students to use language skills. An example of a hand-on project that could be used is the creation of an origami. Teachers can use origami animals to involve students in a lesson about animal creatures. The expected learning outcome for this strategy is better comprehension of the subject matter and student