Post 161: How to Add Comprehensible Input to ELL Listening/Conversation Lesson

Post 161: How to Add Comprehensible Input to ELL Listening/Conversation Lesson

Students can read newspapers, books, in the target language. They can also listen to radio, podcasts and watch Youtube video in the target language. Students of course can listen to the native speaker teacher as she teaches the class with group projects, read aloud for younger learners, shared literature or discussing issues, problem solving tough issues like homelessness with adult students, and the teacher can incorporate art, music, and photography in the target language into her lessons allowing studnets to develop, expand and choose new learning experiences.

Students can interview each other or they can find a native speaker they can interview, they can act out drama plays, storytelling, create Youtube videos in the target language, role playing, simulations and cooperative games can expand student uses of spoken and written language. The teacher acts as a guide to student learning.  Some examples of Total Physical Response activities include explaining to the students how to use a piece of classroom equipment, following instructions for origami, cooking, bringing in ethnic foods, discussing the students' cultural traditions vs American foods,  listening to the weather, going on class trips to museums, visiting class lectures of other teachers in other classrooms, auditing classes at universities, going to a religious service, eating out at a restaurant, going shopping (although these days, most shopping are being done online), and taking a guided tour of a zoo, park, museum, business, government facility, or historic site. If you are in San Francisco, you can visit the chocolate factory!

Of course interactive activities in the classroom also allow students to learn language like group work, performing dramas, partnerships are essential for student's continued language growth.  Guests from the outside can come in and lecture, the teacher can then have students practice taking class notes to improve study skills especially if the ELL wants to attend college in the US.  For older students, survival English skills become essential for them to know and also provide authentic input for the ELL. I remember teaching ELL how to use the telephone, how to order take-out, how to order food by phone, what to do at the library to take out a book, how to deposit money or withdraw money from a bank, how to fill out a check, how to shop for food,  medical services, how to see a doctor, how to make a doctor's appointment, transportation and useful everyday phrases like "My Social Security Number is.... For the absolute beginner of English, Side by Side is an excellent book that provides essential Survival English phrases.