From the Secondary Section: Can English Language Learners Acquire Academic English?

Teaching English Language Learners in the Content Areas

“…Two authors (Cook, 1996; Jacobs, 2001) write about their experiences teaching secondary school students, highlighting the value of dual-entry journals in which students comment on a particular section of text; they also stress the importance of arousing student interest before they begin a reading assignment. Other themes that run through the articles include the use of graphic organizers to assist student understanding of vocabulary and story organization (Cook, 1996; Cruz, 2004; Ernst-Slavit, Moore, & Maloney, 2002; Gersten & Jiménez, 1994); vocabulary instruction (Ernst-Slavit et al, 2002; Gersten, 1996; Gersten & Jiménez, 1994); finding ways to value students’ language, cultures, and opinions (Ernst-Slavit et al, 2002; Gersten & Jiménez, 1994; Jacobs, 2001); and requiring students to elaborate on their responses (Ernst-Slavit et al, 2002; Gersten, 1996; Gersten & Jiménez, 1994). In addition, different articles stress other topics such as the teaching of cognitive strategies or presenting material through multiple modalities, that is, both in oral and written forms.…”