This guide highlights resources for teachers of English language learners in Ontario.
English Language Learners are students in English-language schools whose first language is other than English, or is a variety of English that is significantly different from the variety used for instruction in Ontario’s schools, and who may initially require educational interventions to assist them in attaining English language proficiency.
They may be Canadian-born or newly arrived from other countries. They come from diverse backgrounds and school experiences, and have a variety of needs. (Ontario Ministry of Education. (2005). Many Roots, Many Voices, p. 48)
Once you are a member of the Ontario College of Teachers you will have access to the OCT's Margaret Wilson Library. This gives you access to many of the teacher resources you had access to at Queen's, including:
Use the OCT Library to continue your professional learning after graduation. This is an outstanding service paid for by your OCT membership.
Teacher candidates, if you don't already have a public library card, please get one!
Public libraries in Ontario and beyond have so many professional resources for you -- both online and in print. The number of audiobooks, ebooks, and streamiing video in collections from OverDrive, cloudLibrary, and Kanopy available to us in an increasing number of public libraries offers us choices such as we have never had before for reading, listening, and viewing. Take advantage of the high value our public libraries offer teachers, both personally and professionally.
Kingston Frontenac Public Library, for example, subscribes to:
So find your public library online and apply for your card-- it's free!
Queen's access to the full issue.
Dispelling Misconceptions about English Language Learners
by
Nearly three-quarters of public schools in the United States enroll English language learners (ELLs). That means teachers at all grade levels need to know how to help these students achieve full academic English language proficiency. In Dispelling Misconceptions About English Language Learners, Barbara Gottschalk dispels 10 common misconceptions about ELLs and gives teachers the information they need to help their ELLs succeed in the classroom. From her perspective as a teacher of English as a second language, Gottschalk answers several key questions:*Just who is an English language learner?*Why is it important to support home language maintenance and promote family engagement?*What are the foundational principles for instruction that help educators teach ELLs across the content areas?*How can teachers recognize and incorporate the background knowledge and experiences ELLs bring to class?*Why is it important to maintain high standards and expectations for all students, including ELLs?*How can a teacher tell when an ELL needs special education versus special teaching? By answering these questions, and more, Gottschalk gives teachers a crystal-clear understanding of how to reach ELLs at each stage of English language acquisition. Her expert guidance reinforces for teachers what they are already doing right and helps them understand what they might need to be doing differently.