Language is messy. Even as someone who knows English inside and out, you know better than anyone how intricate, and downright tricky it can be. Teaching it? That’s a whole other level of complexity.
Being fluent in English doesn’t automatically equip you to teach it, especially when your students are all over the map. In one classroom, you might have a student who’s piecing together basic sentences alongside another who’s debating abstract ideas in English but still stumbles over phrasal verbs or even sentence starters.
And then there’s everyone in between. Ten students? Twenty levels. It’s enough to make even the most seasoned teacher want to take a deep breath (or maybe a long nap).
But here’s the beautiful part about teaching ELLs: it’s all about finding ways to meet students where they are, even if “where they are” feels like twenty different places at once.
The good news? You don’t have to do it all at once or perfectly. What you need are practical ELL strategies that help you bridge those gaps without losing your mind.
In this post, I’m sharing some of my favorite ELL strategies for tackling the chaos of differentiation in the ELL classroom.
1. Simplify your language without oversimplifying ideas
ELLs don’t need you to “dumb down” your language. They need you to make it accessible.
One of the best ways to do this is by comparing complex sentences with simplified versions. Check out the expanded table below for examples:
| Complex Sentence | Simplified Sentence | What Changed |
|---|---|---|
| “The protagonist exhibited resilience.” | “The main character stayed strong.” | Replaced complex words (protagonist,exhibited,resilience) with simpler terms. |
| “This phenomenon occurs due to evaporation.” | “This happens because water turns into vapor.” | Broke down abstract terms (phenomenon,occurs,evaporation) into concrete concepts. |
| “It is imperative that you complete the task.” | “You must finish the task.” | Removed formal phrasing (it is imperative) for directness. |
| “The hypothesis was proven accurate through experimentation.” | “The guess was shown to be correct after testing.” | Simplified academic jargon (hypothesis,proven accurate,experimentation). |
| “Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy.” | “Photosynthesis is how plants turn sunlight into food.” | Shortened and clarified the explanation while keeping the concept intact. |
| “The data indicates a significant correlation between the variables.” | “The data shows a strong connection between the factors.” | Replaced technical terms (indicates,significant correlation,variables) with everyday language. |
| “Mitigate the issue by implementing preventative measures.” | “Reduce the problem by taking steps to prevent it.” | Simplified verbs (mitigate,implementing) and rephrased for clarity. |
| “The author employs symbolism to convey deeper meaning.” | “The author uses symbols to show deeper meaning.” | Replaced formal vocabulary (employs,convey) with simpler alternatives. |
See how the improved versions maintain the essence of the original sentences but strip away unnecessary complexity? This approach helps ELLs focus on the content, not get bogged down by challenging language.
Pro tip: Start small. Pick one paragraph or set of instructions from your lesson plan and simplify it. Then ask yourself—did I lose the essence? If not, you’re golden.
2. Pre-teach key vocabulary before lessons
You know that feeling when someone starts explaining something to you, and halfway through, you realize you’re already lost? That’s how ELLs often feel in class when they hit an unfamiliar word. By the time they figure out what it means (if they ever do), they’ve missed half the lesson.
Pre-teaching vocabulary is like handing them a map before a road trip. Here’s how to make it work:
- Pick the right words: Don’t go overboard. Focus on 3-5 words or phrases that are absolutely crucial for understanding the lesson. Think about:
- Words that will come up repeatedly.
- Words that are central to the topic.
- Words that might confuse students if left unexplained.
- Teach them in context: Simply handing out definitions is boring and not always helpful. Instead:
- Use visuals: Show a picture of the word in action. For example, if you’re teaching habitat , show images of forests, oceans, and deserts.
- Use examples: Tie the word to something familiar. “A habitat is like your home—it’s where animals live.”
- Use gestures: Act it out. For interact, mime two people talking or shaking hands.
- Check for understanding: Don’t assume they’ve got it. Check! Ask students to:
- Explain the word in their own words.
- Draw a quick sketch of what it means.
- Use it in a sentence.
Luckily, pre-teaching students with necessary vocabulary has been made easier with AI-powered tools like Edcafe AI. With it Flashcard Set generator, you can quickly create flashcards for students to practice on and access directly from their devices anytime, anywhere.
See how that works right here:
3. Leverage students’ native languages as a bridge
Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get enough love: students’ native languages. For a long time, there was this idea that English-only was the way to go. But the truth is ignoring a student’s first language is like leaving a powerful tool on the shelf.
When you let students use their native language as a bridge, you’re honoring who they are and what they already know. Here’s how to do it:
- Bilingual dictionaries are your friend: Let students look up unfamiliar words in their first language. It’s not “cheating”. It’s scaffolding. For example:
- A Spanish-speaking student might look up photosynthesis and find fotosíntesis . Suddenly, the concept clicks because they’ve connected it to something familiar.
- Use cognates to your advantage: Many English words have similar counterparts in other languages. Point these out! For example:
- Family (English) → Familia (Spanish).
- Communication (English) → Kommunikation (German).These connections help students feel more confident and less overwhelmed.
Pro tip: Don’t worry if you don’t speak your students’ languages. You don’t have to! Just creating space for their native language shows respect and builds trust. And when students feel respected, they’re more likely to engage.
While you're exploring Edcafe AI, try out its standalone Vocabulary Cards feature! Easily translate native languages to English and put them in a visual flashcard set for practice and repetition.
4. Provide sentence stems for discussions and writing
Give starters like “I think this because…” or “The main idea is…” to scaffold communication.
ELLs often know what they want to say, but they struggle to put it into words. That’s when sentence stems become incredibly helpful
Think of sentence stems as training wheels for communication. They don’t do the work for the student, but they make it easier to get rolling.
- For discussions: Provide stems that encourage deeper thinking and participation. For example:
- “I agree because…”
- “I disagree because…”
- “Can you explain more about…?”
- Teacher: “What do you think about the story’s ending?”
- Student: “I think the ending was surprising because…”
- For writing: Use stems to guide students through structured responses. For example:
- “The main idea is…”“One detail that supports this is…”“This reminds me of…”
- “The main idea of the text is __________. One detail that supports this is __________. This makes me think __________.”
If you’re actively using PowerPoint to deliver daily lessons, you might be missing out on a powerful add-in, ClassPoint. ClassPoint has an interactive Short Answer feature that makes writing engaging.
Pair ClassPoint’s Short Answer with prompts tied with sentence stems. Students can then submit their responses in real-time through their own devices, and you can display their answers instantly right on your PowerPoint.
5. Chunk instructions into smaller steps
Let’s say you’re assembling a piece of IKEA furniture (we’ve all been there). The instructions come in steps, right? First, attach the legs. Then, screw in the sides. If they gave you all the steps at once—“Attach the legs, sides, shelves, screws, and handles while standing on one foot”—you’d probably throw the manual across the room.
That’s exactly how ELLs feel when we give them long, multi-step instructions all at once. Instead, break tasks into bite-sized chunks. For example:
Instead of saying, “Read the article, answer the questions, and write a summary,” try this:
- “First, read the first paragraph of the article.”
- “Now, tell me one thing you learned.”
- “Great! Now answer question #1.”
After each step, pause and check for understanding. A quick “Thumbs up if you’re ready” or “Can someone tell me what we’re doing next?” can save you and your students a lot of frustration.
This approach does two things:
- It prevents overwhelm by giving students one clear task at a time.
- It builds confidence because they’re constantly moving forward instead of getting stuck.
6. Use gestures and facial expressions to reinforce meaning
Humans have been using gestures to communicate way longer than we’ve been using words. When you’re trying to explain something to a toddler or even a tourist who doesn’t speak your language, you naturally start pointing, miming, or exaggerating your expressions. Why? Because it works.
Gestures and facial expressions make abstract concepts concrete and memorable. For example:
- Explaining emotions? Use your face! Say “I’m happy” with a big smile, then say “I’m sad” with a frown.
- Teaching prepositions? Use your hands! Say “The book is on the table” while placing an object on a desk, then say “The book is under the table” while moving it underneath.
You don’t need to audition for Broadway. Just be intentional.
And the best part is that gestures are inclusive. Even if students don’t fully understand your words yet, they can still follow along and participate. Plus, it adds a little energy to your lessons which, let’s be honest, we could all use after hour three of teaching.
Pro tip: Encourage students to use gestures too! If you’re teaching vocabulary like “big” or “small,” have them use their hands to show size. When they’re physically involved, they’re more likely to remember.
Check out our rundown on 13 Essential Classroom Hand Signals You and Your Students Need For Smoother Discussions!
7. Ask open-ended questions to encourage elaboration
Let’s rewind to the last time you asked a student, “Do you understand?” Chances are, you got a quick nod or a mumbled “Yes.” It’s because closed questions like that don’t tell you much.
Open-ended questions, on the other hand, are like leaving the door wide open and inviting someone in for coffee. That’s why it’s important to frame questions along the same vein well.
To help you make the switch, here’s a quick comparison of closed-ended vs. open-ended questions:
| Closed-Ended Questions | Open-Ended Questions | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| “Is this the right answer?” | “How did you arrive at this answer?” | Encourages students to explain their reasoning instead of just guessing. |
| “Did you like the story?” | “What stood out to you most about the story?” | Invites personal reflection and deeper engagement with the text. |
| “Is this a triangle?” | “What makes this shape a triangle?” | Prompts students to justify their thinking using evidence. |
| “Did you finish your work?” | “What part of the assignment was easiest for you?” | Shifts focus from compliance to meaningful discussion about the learning process. |
| “Is photosynthesis important?” | “Why do you think photosynthesis matters?” | Pushes students to connect concepts to real-world significance. |
These kinds of questions push students to go beyond yes/no answers and dig deeper into their reasoning. And for ELLs, this is gold. It gives them a chance to practice language skills while demonstrating their understanding.
How to Make These ELL Strategies Stick
Even the best strategies can flop if they’re not implemented in a way that works for you and your students. So instead of giving you another list of “do this, do that,” here’s the real talk you need to make these ELL strategies actually work in your classroom.
Don’t Be Afraid to Steal (From Yourself)
You’ve probably already got some tricks up your sleeve that work wonders—so why reinvent the wheel? For example:
- If you already use visuals for science lessons, apply the same approach to vocabulary or writing prompts.
- If you’ve mastered chunking instructions for group projects, try it during independent work too.
The key is to take what’s already working in one area and adapt it to another. Borrow from your own brilliance. I’s the ultimate teacher hack.
Lean Into What Makes You, You
Students connect with authenticity more than perfection. If you’re naturally funny, sprinkle humor into your open-ended questions. If you’re more reserved, let your calm energy create a safe space for ELLs to take risks.
Your personality is your superpower. Use it.
Give Yourself Permission to Ditch What Doesn’t Work
Not every strategy will be a home run, and that’s fine. If pre-teaching vocabulary feels forced or if incorporating gestures and facial expressions don’t feel like you, let it go. Teaching is about flexibility, not forcing square pegs into round holes.
Instead, focus on the strategies that feel natural and effective. Less overwhelm, more impact.
Remember: Progress Isn’t Always Loud
Sometimes, growth looks like a student confidently using a new word in conversation. Other times, it’s so quiet you almost miss it—a hesitant hand raised during discussion, a correctly completed worksheet tucked into a folder.
Train yourself to notice the small, subtle wins. They’re proof that your efforts are paying off, even if it doesn’t always feel like it.
FAQs
What should I do if a strategy doesn’t work for my students?
If a strategy isn’t resonating, don’t force it. Reflect on why it might not be working—is it too complex, unclear, or misaligned with your students’ needs? Tweak it, replace it, or try pairing it with another approach. Teaching is about flexibility, so trust your instincts and adapt as needed.
How can I support ELLs with different proficiency levels in one classroom?
Differentiate your instruction by tailoring strategies to individual needs. For beginners, focus on foundational supports like visuals, gestures, and simplified language. For advanced learners, challenge them with open-ended questions and higher-level sentence stems. Group work and peer collaboration can also help bridge gaps between proficiency levels.
Can technology help me teach ELLs more effectively?
Absolutely! Tools like ClassPoint’s interactive features (e.g., Short Answer) can make lessons more engaging by allowing real-time participation. Other tech tools, like Edcafe AI, can also support language development with AI-powered flashcards for practice and repetition.
How long does it take to see progress in ELL students?
Progress varies depending on factors like age, background, and exposure to English. Some students may show improvement in weeks, while others may take months or even years. Celebrate small wins along the way—language learning is a marathon, not a sprint.
