"Bring the English language to life with this valuable new resource "
Some say that learning a second language is like drinking water from a fire hose. But teaching it does not have to be like standing under Niagara Falls. This is the fundamental message of Jerry Jesness' new quick-start guide "Teaching English Language Learners K-12." In our climate, ELL teachers face immense demands as educators because the ELL class is often the critical, transitional step into a student's entire education. The author provides specific strategies to address the special challenges for instructors. This valuable resource offers a terrific framework to nurture that motivating spark in English Language learners. For ELL educators, it's more than a job--it's a mission
"Teaching English Language Learners K-12" includes:
- Customizing instructions to create developmentally and culturally appropriate lessons for all learners
- Comprehensive vocabulary checklists for common English words and concepts
- Practical methods for using the learner's native language and culture in the classroom
- Helpful strategies for teaching spoken English, reading, and writing
- Encouraging tips to become a better ELL teacher
This book delivers a concise array of teaching strategies, curriculum, and things ESL teachers need to know to become most confident in their work and most effective with their students.

We often hear about the need to make demands on all students, especially those of color, of different cultural backgrounds, and from low income families. A lot of educators talk the talk, but only a few have actually walked the walk. One of the few American schools that actually made substantial strides in improving education for low-income students was Garfield High school in the 1980s. The success of Jaime Escalante, Garfield's calculus teacher, was depicted in the 1987 film Stand and Deliver. This film is often shown in education classes and teacher inservices. Unfortunately, Hollywood played rather freely with the facts and created a film that is a poor guide for teachers and administrators who want to recreate Escalante's experience. The reality, however, is even more wonderful than the film, and, unlike the Hollywood fantasy, is replicable. When coauthor Jerry Jesness interviewed Jaime Escalante about the secret of his success, the first four words Escalante spoke were, "Our principal, Henry Gradillas... ." In this book, Dr. Gradillas shares both his upbeat philosophy of education and the practical school management techniques that helped translate that philosophy into success for thousands of students over three decades. The book focuses on three areas that are key to the operation of an effective school: School climate, instruction, and curriculum. It includes many references to the Garfield experience, as well as to other schools where Gradillas was at the helm.

We often hear about the need to make demands on all students, especially those of color, of different cultural backgrounds, and from low income families. A lot of educators talk the talk, but only a few have actually walked the walk. One of the few American schools that actually made substantial strides in improving education for low-income students was Garfield High school in the 1980s. The success of Jaime Escalante, Garfield's calculus teacher, was depicted in the 1987 film Stand and Deliver. This film is often shown in education classes and teacher inservices. Unfortunately, Hollywood played rather freely with the facts and created a film that is a poor guide for teachers and administrators who want to recreate Escalante's experience. The reality, however, is even more wonderful than the film, and, unlike the Hollywood fantasy, is replicable. When coauthor Jerry Jesness interviewed Jaime Escalante about the secret of his success, the first four words Escalante spoke were, 'Our principal, Henry Gradillas_ .' In this book, Dr. Gradillas shares both his upbeat philosophy of education and the practical school management techniques that helped translate that philosophy into success for thousands of students over three decades. The book focuses on three areas that are key to the operation of an effective school: School climate, instruction, and curriculum. It includes many references to the Garfield experience, as well as to other schools where Gradillas was at the helm.

This is a quick-start manual for teachers who are working with bilingual learners for the first time or who want a refresher course. The book is practical, jargon free, easy to navigate, and it contains strategies that teachers can implement immediately and without fuss. The book is not tied to state-specific immersion programmes but instead offers strategies that can be used in all bilingual settings to cover such topics as: } teaching methods and materials ("your toolbox") } working with the learner's native language and culture } working within the context of the community's language and culture } working with school administrators, speech therapists, and volunteers } essential skills: vocabulary, grammar, listening, speaking, reading, writing, content classes, including "sheltered" content lessons } grading, testing, self-assessments, and preparing students for standardized tests } placements in bilingual/ESL programmes and exiting back to regular classrooms } placements in special education programmes when appropriate * timing the students' return to regular classrooms } the ESL teacher's ongoing professional development Special features include sidebars for customizing instruction to be developmentally appropriate for younger learners; resources and recommended readings; a glossary to explain common linguistic terms and bilingual alphabet soup (TESOL, NABE, ELD, LEP, ESL, EFL, ELL); and a terrific collection of vocabulary checklists for common English words and concepts, which teachers will be able to use during first few months.

This is a quick-start manual for teachers who are working with bilingual learners for the first time or who want a refresher course. The book is practical, jargon free, easy to navigate, and it contains strategies that teachers can implement immediately and without fuss. The book is not tied to state-specific immersion programmes but instead offers strategies that can be used in all bilingual settings to cover such topics as: } teaching methods and materials ("your toolbox") } working with the learner's native language and culture } working within the context of the community's language and culture } working with school administrators, speech therapists, and volunteers } essential skills: vocabulary, grammar, listening, speaking, reading, writing, content classes, including "sheltered" content lessons } grading, testing, self-assessments, and preparing students for standardized tests } placements in bilingual/ESL programmes and exiting back to regular classrooms } placements in special education programmes when appropriate * timing the students' return to regular classrooms } the ESL teacher's ongoing professional development Special features include sidebars for customizing instruction to be developmentally appropriate for younger learners; resources and recommended readings; a glossary to explain common linguistic terms and bilingual alphabet soup (TESOL, NABE, ELD, LEP, ESL, EFL, ELL); and a terrific collection of vocabulary checklists for common English words and concepts, which teachers will be able to use during first few months.