Modification Tips and Techniques

Instruction

Tip: ESL students need modified instruction to learn both English and content.

Modifying instruction is critical to ESL students’ success. However, modifying instruction doesn’t mean creating a second lesson plan or curriculum; it just means changing some of the ways you do things. Most of your native English-speaking students can benefit from modifications as well.

Technique: Use various teaching styles and tricks of the trade.

ØTeach to varied learning styles

ØEncourage students to participate in class

ØHave high expectations of your students

Ø Give students more wait time: at least 15-20 seconds

ØAssign students a bilingual or English-speaking study buddy

ØUse cooperative learning and put students in groups with English-speaking students

ØUse lots of visuals, like graphic organizers and pictures

ØUse physical activity: model, role-play, act out

ØRepeat and rephrase often

ØEmphasize the 5-8 most important vocabulary words of a lesson

ØFocus on the 2-3 key concepts of a lesson

ØGive students an outline of the lesson that highlights the key concepts

ØLet ESL students copy your or someone else’s notes

ØWrite in print unless specifically teaching the manuscript alphabet

ØGive simple instructions

ØUse concrete language and questions

ØSimplify complex questions

ØUse children’s literature/lower grade level materials to teach content

ØIncorporate the 4 skills of language acquisition: reading/writing/listening/speaking

ØCheck understanding using “show me” techniques

Class/Homework

Tip: ESL students experience greater success when class-work and homework is modified to fit their capabilities.

Modifying class-work or homework tasks to fit ESL students’ capabilities doesn’t mean expecting less from them. It means giving them realistic tasks to complete that increase their chances for success.

Technique: Allow for flexibility in the tasks you assign.

üReduce assignments

üSimplify complex tasks

üGive ESL students extra time to do work or complete projects

üAdapt the task to the students’ skill levels

üIgnore spelling or grammar errors except for when explicitly taught

üAllow students to take breaks when working: their brains tire quickly!

Add your own:

Assessment Modifications

Tip: Assess ESL students according to what they can do rather than what they cannot do.

Don’t be afraid to tip sacred cows! Standardized tests or even teacher-created tests can’t always measure ESL students’ progress accurately or authentically. Instead, measure ESL students by what they can do at any point in time, keeping in mind what they could not do earlier. Have they shown progress? Have they sincerely made an effort to learn? Have they demonstrated their learning?

Technique: Modify the tests you give.

vTest key concepts or main ideas

vAvoid test questions asking for discrete information

vMake a simplified language version of the test

vSimplify instructions

vProvide word banks

vGive students extra time to complete tests

vGive students objective tests: matching, multiple choice, etc.

vMake all or part of the exam oral.

Technique: Use alternate assessment strategies for ESL students.

1. Non-Verbal

Øphysical demonstration (point, gesture, act out, thumbs up/down, nod yes/no)

Øpictorial products (manipulate or create drawings, diagrams, dioramas, models, graphs, charts; label pictures; keep a picture journal

ØKWL Charts using pictures or native language

2. Oral and Written Strategies

Øinterviews, oral reports, role plays using visuals cues, gestures or physical activity

Ødescribing, explaining, summarizing, retelling, paraphrasing

Øthinking and learning logs

Øreading response logs

Øwriting assignments

Ødialogue journals

Øaudio or video recordings of students

Øportfolios