Terms
What does EL stand for?
English Learner
Who is Ellie Barton?
An EL Coordinator and Language Arts teacher.
What program keeps students’ native language active while teaching English?
Bilingual Maintenance
True/False – Technology is always an equalizer for EL students.
False
Why is language diversity important in education?
It affects how students learn and succeed.
Define language diversity in one sentence.
The presence of multiple languages in a classroom or community that influence teaching and learning.
What language do Somali-Bantu students speak, and does it have a written form?
Mai-Mai; no written form.
Which model uses only English instruction?
Immersion
What is the “digital divide”?
Unequal access to technology/internet at home.
Name one instructional model.
Any of: Bilingual, Immersion, ESL, Transition.
True/False – All EL students come with the same level of English proficiency.
False
Name one advantage an Indian student who knows Hindi and Urdu may have in U.S. schools.
Already literate in multiple languages, making English easier to learn.
What program transitions students from first language to English-only?
Transition Programs
Name one misuse of technology by students.
Playing games instead of focusing on lessons.
What’s the key takeaway from this section?
Teachers need strategies and support to address language diversity.
What does ESL mean?
English as a second language
Why do EL teachers face wide ranges of student needs?
Students arrive with different backgrounds, literacy levels, and English proficiency.
Which model gives English instruction with adaptations?
ESL Programs
What role should teachers play in tech use?
Guide and monitor purposeful use of technology.
Fill-in-the-blank: Teachers must adapt lessons for ______ and ______.
Equity and inclusion.
Explain what makes “immersion programs” unique.
Immersion programs provide English-only instruction at a fast pace with little or no use of the student’s first language.
Give one challenge Ellie Barton faced in her classroom.
Teaching students with little/no literacy alongside those who are multilingual.
Match each model with one benefit or challenge.
Bilingual – maintains culture but slower English acquisition; Immersion – fast English but can neglect native language; ESL – tailored support but sometimes limited exposure; Transition – smoother shift but may reduce native language use.
Give one example of how technology can meaningfully support ELs.
Using translation apps, online bilingual dictionaries, or language learning software.
Summarize the biggest challenge with language diversity in one sentence.
Teachers face challenges meeting the needs of students with different language abilities.