Understanding second language acquisition can help teachers provide effective instruction for English Learners. Instruction should be planned that reflects students' stages of language acquisition to help them move through the various language acquisition levels. Higher-level thinking activities should be used with ELs at all language acquisition levels.
● Learning Objectives
o Understand the stages of second language acquisition
o Increase comprehensibility by making content more understandable for English Learners
o Provide age-appropriate nonverbal clues and visual scaffolds for English Learners
o Build from language that is already understood to develop the second language
o Increase English Learners’ opportunities to use their language skills in direct communication
o Improve questioning strategies to support metacognitive processes