Reading Supports for English Learners

“Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what we read ours.”  - John Locke

Get your copy of Hacking Digital Learning and The 30 Goals Challenge. Ask me about training your teachers, ShellyTerrell@gmail.com!

Our schools are full of students with beautiful customs, traditions, and histories. Not only can we ensure our selected readings in class mirror the diversity and experiences of our students, we also need to make sure we add supports that help our Multilingual Learners navigate the intricacies of English text. In my presentation, Unlocking the Power of Comprehension: Effective Reading Strategies for English Learners,  I've outlined strategies and included tips and resources to help you support your multilingual learners. Through these strategies and personalized approaches, you can help multilingual learners bridge language gaps and provide a supportive environment for students to develop robust reading skills. Scroll or click here to access the bookmarks and resources. 

Tips

​​English Learner Reading Strategies

• Build Background Knowledge
• Enhance Vocabulary
• Teach Reading Comprehension Strategies
• Use Reading Support Tools
• Use Visuals
• Annotate

Build Background Knowledge

• Picture Word Inductive Model
• Virtual Field Trips
• AI Image Creator
• Videos
• Realia and Artifacts
• Graphic Organizers
• Maps and Diagrams

PWIM (ValentinaESL) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hqb0nU1J64

• Present a relevant image
• Label image together
• Categorize words
• Ask for possible titles
• In small groups, discuss, and come up with sentences
• Individual writing of sentences

Use AI to Visualize (Setting, Characters, Descriptions)- Bing.com/create

• Enhance Vocabulary
• Flashcards
• Dictionaries (visual, digital)
• Word Lists and Journals
• Flashcards
• Games
• TPR
• Online Tools (Quizlet, Readworks)

Vocabulary Websites

• Visuwords.com
• WILD Kids.wordsmyth.net
• Quizlet.com
• Students Need to Document the Acquired Vocabulary
• Slidesmania.com/building-vocabulary-foreign-languages

Annotation

• To comment on, highlight, label, mark, notate, and provide feedback on a text.
• Many platforms and programs have annotation tools!
• Google Docs, Testing Sites, Readworks and more!
• Kamiapp.com

Encourage students to use the reading support tools available on different digital platforms!

• Microsoft Immersive Reader - Microsoft.com/en-us/education/products/learning-tools
• Rewordify.com
• Readworks.org - Annotate, Interactive Vocabulary, Question Sets, Read Aloud!

Introduce Various Reading Strategies

• Graphic Organizers
• Sketchnoting
• Making Inferences
• Summarizing
• Retelling
• Prediction
• Canva.com/Education - Diagrams, Graphic Organizers, Templates!
  • Canva.com/p/brolga-education

Get them to read often even in their own language!

• Independent Reading Time
• Family Literacy Workshops
• Diverse Book Lending
• Reading Challenges
• Newsletter / Website of Resources
• Share Reading Events
• Read to Others

Other Resources

• Reading Skills Poster  
• Annotate with Kami or Google Docs! Click here for an assignment.  
• Reading Strategies- ReadWorks and ELL Reading Strategies

Bookmarks

Find the tools listed above and many more resources in the bookmarks below.