Seven strategies that work in any classroom
English learners need two things at once: access to grade-level content, and steady growth in academic English. These strategies do both, and most of them help every student in the room.
Pre-teach the key vocabulary
Choose five to eight words students need for the lesson, both subject words (photosynthesis, amendment) and the academic words around them (compare, evidence, because). Teach them with a picture, a simple definition and an example before the lesson starts.
Give sentence frames
Frames such as "I think ___ because ___" or "The evidence shows ___" let students take part in discussion and writing before they can build those sentences alone. Offer two or three levels so every student has a way in.
Make input comprehensible
Speak clearly, use gestures and visuals, show real objects and model the task before asking students to do it. Check meaning often with quick, low-stakes questions instead of "Does everyone understand?"
Plan structured talk
Short, structured partner talk (think-pair-share, a turn-and-talk with a frame) gives English learners safe practice speaking academic English before they write.
Use graphic organizers
Tables, Venn diagrams, flow charts and labeled diagrams reduce the language load while keeping the thinking at grade level.
Value the home language
Let students plan, discuss or check meaning in their first language where it helps. Cognates (for example, in Spanish, "evaporación" and evaporation) can be a quick bridge to new vocabulary.
Keep the content at grade level
Support the language, not the expectations. An English learner in 7th grade science should still learn 7th grade science, with scaffolds that are removed as their English grows.
Matching support to proficiency level
States describe English proficiency in levels, from newcomers to students who are close to exiting ELL services. The labels differ by state, but the kind of support each stage needs is similar.
Newcomers and early levels
Lots of visuals, gestures and real objects; word banks with pictures; yes or no and either-or questions; labeling and sorting tasks; sentence frames for every response.
Developing levels
Sentence frames that build longer responses, glossaries, guided reading with a purpose, partner talk before writing, and short paragraphs with a model.
Advanced levels
Focus on academic language: precise vocabulary, linking words, writing longer explanations and arguments, and gradually removing frames.
An example: one science objective, three ways in
Objective (5th grade): explain how water moves through the water cycle. The objective stays the same for every student; the language support changes.
| Level | Task |
|---|---|
| Early | Label a picture of the water cycle using a word bank (evaporation, condensation, precipitation, collection), then point and say each step to a partner. |
| Developing | Complete frames: "First, the sun heats ___. The water turns into ___. Then ___." Share with a partner, then write the sentences. |
| Advanced | Write a short explanation of the cycle using sequence words (first, next, as a result) and three key terms, with a model paragraph to check against. |
See a full worked example: the 5th grade water cycle lesson pack.
ELL supports built into LessonHQ
Turn on ELL mode when you generate a lesson, slides, a lesson plan, a study guide or a sub plan. The lesson adds a key-vocabulary glossary, plain and concrete sentences, sentence frames, word banks and stronger visual support, while the objective stays at grade level. You can switch on IEP mode at the same time.
ELL FAQ
What is an ELL?
An English language learner (ELL), also called an English learner (EL) or multilingual learner, is a student who is still developing the English needed to learn fully in school. Schools identify ELLs through a home language survey and an English language proficiency screener.
Are schools required to support English learners?
Yes. In Lau v. Nichols (1974), the Supreme Court held that a school system receiving federal funds must take steps to help students who do not speak English access instruction. Under the Every Student Succeeds Act, states must also assess English learners' English proficiency every year.
Which English proficiency tests do states use?
Many states use WIDA's ACCESS for ELLs, which reports six proficiency levels. Others use their own tests, such as the ELPAC in California, TELPAS in Texas and the NYSESLAT in New York. Ask your district which test and levels it uses.
How does LessonHQ support English learners?
Turn on ELL mode in the generators and the lesson adds a key-vocabulary glossary, plain sentences, sentence frames, word banks and stronger visual support, while keeping the objective at grade level. Every pack's teacher notes also include ELL supports, and you can check a text with the free reading level checker.
Can I use ELL mode with IEP supports?
Yes. ELL mode and IEP mode can be turned on together for students who need both.