The 5 stages of ELL learners

M2.U5.A3

Planning for English Language Learners

This next year I will be teaching a body unit. We will be able to incorporate Twister into the lesson plan. This will be geared toward elementary grade three students in South Korea.

No matter where you teach there will always be children that need additional help in language. In the States, there are many children that need this extra help in English. There are a few reasons why some students are in need of assistance. Two of the main reason that children might be in an American ELL classroom could be they just immigrated to the United States or parents speak another language at home. These children go through learning stages when learning another language.

Student at Stage 1: (Pre-Production)

Student’s Language Proficiency:

This is the beginning stage of learning a language. This time is known as the silent period. During the silent period, the learner will have up to a 500-word vocabulary. The student may still repeat everything you say at this time, although what they are saying is not of their own they are merely parroting what the teacher is saying.

In the Classroom:

Teacher – Use of gestures to communicate.

– Show me….

– Circle the….

– Where is…

– Who has…

At this stage the teacher will get the students will have the students do Total Physical Response Activities (TPR) - (Simon says, charades, songs, etc…). There are other things the teacher will do at this stage as well like listening response activities and multiple repetition activities.

Student at Stage 2: (Early Production)

Student’s Language Proficiency:

Early Production stage can last up to six months and is where the student develops about a 1000 word vocabulary. At this time, students are usually only able to speak in small amounts and is not always correct.

In the Classroom:

The student is able to produce short 1~2 word responses to questions, so the teacher is able to communicate with simple questions. During this stage, the teacher will ask simple yes/no questions as well as either/or questions. These questions can be supported with a lot of visual aid for word recognition.

Student at Stage 3: (Speech Emergence)

Student’s Language Proficiency:

Speech Emergence is the third stage and this is where the student now has about 3000 words and is able to communicate with simple sentences, phrases, and questions. The students are still not always grammatically correct, but they are able to communicate more effectively.

In the Classroom Strategies:

The teacher is able to read to the student and have the student read back to them. The students are able to group up with their classmates and do pair reading. At this level, the students are able to do some of the classroom content with the teacher’s help. The teacher can give them slightly modified worksheets and assignments to do in class. The students can also do graphic organizers with fill in the blanks. At this stage, the students are also able to match vocabulary words to their definitions.

Student at Stage 4: (Intermediate Fluency)

Student’s Language Proficiency:

English language learners that are in the Intermediate fluency stage are beginning to formulate more complex sentences while they are speaking and writing. At this stage, the students have at least a 6000-word vocabulary and are roughly at their two-year mark by this point. The students are able to express opinions and thoughts as well as asking questions in class that is pertaining to what they are learning.

In the Classroom:

During this stage, the teacher is able to allow the student to use strategies from their native language to learn content in English. An example of this are words that cognate (words that are the same in English as well as their own language). Combine what they have learned and allow them to make conclusions based on their learning. Students will also work on larger assignments.

Student at Stage 5: (Advanced Fluency)

Student’s Language Proficiency:

The final stage to ELL is Advanced Fluency. This stage can take about 5-7 years to get to. At this stage, most ELL students have left the program and are more on a monitoring basis with the teacher. They are able to perform at the necessary level as long as accommodations are provided as needed.

In the Classroom:

The student will still need some support in content areas and writing. Teachers will continue to support their growth in writing and help when needed.