Until students learn English, there is no point in trying to teach them content area subjects
The truth is... It is possible to teach ESL students many different subjects while they are still learning English. An understanding of what the ELL students in your class can do with oral and written English at different stages of second language learning is important if teachers are to provide effective language and content area instruction (Wright, 2010, pg. 12). Teachers need to modify their lessons to best teach the different ELL students in the class. If the teacher knows specific areas the student is struggling in, the teacher can use that to differentiate the lessons as well. Teachers must also have a thorough understanding of language to be able to help the ELL students learn content area subjects.
The teacher needs to know about the structure of language in order to speak and write so the students in that class will understand them. The teacher needs to also know what the students are saying to them as well (Wright, 2010, pg. 28-29). This is another way to find out what students know so you can find out which methods of teaching are going to be the most useful. According to Wright, “ELLs are going to have to learn the kind of English needed for literacy and learning faster and more successfully than they presently do, say in 2-3 years, 4 years max! She is not suggesting that ELLs become “fluent” speakers in this time. Rather, she is arguing that ELLs can learn complex, challenging materials well before they have learned all the intricacy of the grammar of English.”
The teacher needs to know about the structure of language in order to speak and write so the students in that class will understand them. The teacher needs to also know what the students are saying to them as well (Wright, 2010, pg. 28-29). This is another way to find out what students know so you can find out which methods of teaching are going to be the most useful. According to Wright, “ELLs are going to have to learn the kind of English needed for literacy and learning faster and more successfully than they presently do, say in 2-3 years, 4 years max! She is not suggesting that ELLs become “fluent” speakers in this time. Rather, she is arguing that ELLs can learn complex, challenging materials well before they have learned all the intricacy of the grammar of English.”