Basic Techniques for Teaching ESL Students

Question: What are some fundamental approaches in working with ESL students?”

Answer:

Quote:  “To ensure comprehension, use an expressive voice, gesture, pantomime, objects and pictures whenever possible in presenting lessons.”

. “To nurture self-esteem, display students’ work in the classroom—drawings, writings, murals, messages, and other efforts.”

. “To achieve real communication, encourage conversations, role-playing, questioning, and other opportunities to send and receive actual messages.”

. “Keep in mind that, although at times activities are listed separately for convenience, listening, comprehension, speaking, reading, writing and thinking are not isolated, separate mental activities.” P. 211.

Title: “Conclusion: The ESL Student: Reflections in the Present, Concerns for the Future..” EW Thonis, pp. 207-216.  In Kids Come in All Languages: Reading Instruction for ESL Students. Eds. K Spangensberg-Urgschat and R Pritchard. Newark, DE: IRA. 1994.