For our English learners “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
This old saying has been around for hundreds of years, and it’s a great reminder that big things happen one step at a time.
The same is true for our English learners.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve looked at your ESL plans and lists and realized every student is in a different place.
One student is brand new to English.
Another is speaking in complete sentences.
Someone else is still learning basic vocabulary.
And that’s okay!
The goal isn’t for everyone to be in the same place. The goal is to help every student keep moving forward.
Here are a few strategies that have made a big difference in my classroom.
1. Start with What Your English Learners Know
Instead of worrying about everything students haven’t learned yet, find out what they do know.
You’ll quickly discover strengths you can build on, and that makes planning so much easier.
2. Meet English Learners Where They Are
Not every student needs the same amount of support.
Some students may need picture cards and simple sentence frames, while others are ready for conversations and writing activities.
The beauty of ESL is that everyone can work toward the same goal with different levels of support.
3. Make Vocabulary Part of Every Lesson
Vocabulary grows through repetition.
Spend just a few minutes each day reviewing words with picture cards, games, partner activities, and your word wall.
Those little moments really add up!
4. Build Confidence Through Conversation
Before students become confident readers and writers, they need plenty of opportunities to listen and speak.
Simple conversations, partner activities, chants, and classroom discussions help students practice English in meaningful ways every single day.
5. Remember English Learners Need the Power of Spiral Review
English learners need to see, hear, and use new language again and again.
Don’t be afraid to revisit vocabulary, grammar, and language you’ve already taught.
Every review helps students become a little more confident.
Every Step Counts
Helping English learners catch up isn’t about teaching everything at once.
It’s about helping students grow a little every day.
One new word.
One conversation.
One success.
Those small steps build confident English learners.
Looking for a Ready-to-Teach Curriculum?
Over the years, I created my ESL Yearlong Curriculum | K–5 Lesson Plans to take the guesswork out of planning. It includes differentiated lessons for four proficiency levels, monthly implementation guides, vocabulary, grammar, oral language, pronunciation, games, and spiral review—all designed to help English learners continue growing throughout the school year.
Because when the planning is done, the teaching is yours.
Happy teaching!
– Lori
