Designing effective lesson plans for English language learners

¶ … Practice

A major challenge that the majority of English language learners will face is difficulties understanding new concepts with the various forms of verbal communication. Part of the reason for this, is because many people will often have to deal with issues associated with: the differences between English and their native language. At the same time, they will have to address challenges such as: cultural assimilation and adjusting to changes inside their new schools. This is problematic, because if some kind of lesson plan is not created to address these challenges many students will often become frustrated with the educational environment. Once this occurs, it means that they can begin to: lose interest in the subject matter and they will have more difficulties in adjusting to the various challenges that they are facing.

As a result, a number of different theories were developed over the years that were designed to help educators understand how to effectively address these issues. A good example of this can be seen by looking no further than observations from Farrell (2008). Who said, "There are two stages of development for these students. The first stage is characterized by survival. While mastery is the second stage, which presents a dichotomy of development: either settling into a state of resistance to change or staying open to new ideas and practices." (Farrell 2008, pg. 3) This is significant, because it showing how English language learners will face a number of different challenges when it comes to understanding this new form of verbal communication.

For the educator, this can be particularly challenging, where they must engage in strategies that will reach out to these individuals. As, they have to address: the basic survival instincts of the student and then augment them with various tools. This is a part of an effort to ensure that they are able to master the language itself. Once this occurs, is when the educator is able to help the student master the language and adapt to the various cultural challenges that they are facing. To fully understand how to achieve this objective requires: designing a lesson plan that is unique for these students, understanding the rational for the approaches / methodology that is utilized, discussing the supporting materials that can be used during the process and conducting an analysis of the lesson plan itself. Together, these different elements will provide the greatest insights as to how educators can effectively reach out to these individuals. This is the point that they will be able to help students to overcome the various challenges that they are facing.

Motivations for Learning

Designing a Full Lesson Plan that is used for English Language Learners

The first step in creating any kind of lesson plan is design specific elements that can be included in the course that will help to improve learning comprehension. This is accomplished through examining specific factors that can be used on a daily basis. While at the same time, you are creating a strategy that will promote the long-term objectives of helping the student to: assimilate and master the concepts. Over the course of time, this will allow educators to address the cultural and communication differences between English and their native language. Once this occurs, it will improve the effectiveness of the ability to reach out to each student in a format that they can relate to.

Rationale for the Approaches & Methodology

To fully understand how to improve learning comprehension requires examining the rationale and methods for using these approaches. This will help to provide specific insights about: how we can be able to achieve these objectives. As a result, we will be examining a number of different techniques to include: having a good opening for the class, simulation, instructional, closure and follow up. (Farrell 2008, pg. 22) (Carter, 2001)

The opening phase: During this part of the class the teacher will ask a number of different questions of the student. The basic idea is to review the material that was covered and begin introducing new ideas that can be utilized. This will allow everyone to begin focusing on what they have built off of during previous sessions. (Farrell 2008, pg. 22) (Carter, 2001)

Evidence of this can be seen by looking no further than comments from Fathman (2006) who said, "Students often need explicit linking of their previous work to the activity at hand. Then, they will discuss the objectives, content and language. That way you can be able to more easily assess the student's learning process because you are clear about the direction of the learning." (Fatham 2006, pg. 103) This is significant, because it is showing how this approach can be effective at addressing the needs of the student by: providing a brief review and then building off of it. Once this occurs, is when you can build off of previous concepts to have an impact upon the way the students are understanding new ideas that are being introduced.

Simulation: This is when the teacher will pose a single or a series of different questions that will challenge the students thinking. In general, this will take place by having everyone asking a series of different questions that can be used to help stimulate higher levels of thinking. Another approach is to introduce different ideas through a series of different photos, forms and worksheets. The basic strategy behind this kind of approach is to encourage everyone to start thinking on a much deeper level (which will help to build learning comprehension). (Farrell 2008, pg. 22)

Instructional: During this part of the lesson plan, is when the teacher is encouraging the student to become involved in learning the new concepts through: working with other students and practicing real world situations. The basic idea with this approach is to have students work with each other to gain a better understanding of the material by using it on their own in individual groups. Once this occurs, it means that they are able to receive repeated exposure to the new concepts that are being presented. At the same time, it is giving them real world experience in working with these various ideas. (Farrell 2008, pg. 22)

Evidence of this can be seen with observations from Tellez (2006), who said, "Teachers conceptualize the format of content with students, individuals, homes and community lives. This gives them a better understanding of the language with the new concepts that are being introduced." (Tellez 2006, pg. 81) What this is showing, is that this part of the strategy will help to improve learning comprehension by providing everyone with another avenue for learning about these ideas. This is based upon, giving them a chance to practice using these concepts to help increase their ability to comprehend the material. Once this occurs, it means that everyone will be able to apply these ideas on a regular basis.

Closure: This is when the teacher will summarize the different materials that were presented. They will then focus on asking students a series of different questions .This will help to spark their ability to think critically about the ideas that were presented during the class to include:

What did you learn?

How do you feel about these activities? (Farrell 2008, pg. 22) (Carter, 2001)

This is significant, because it is showing how this technique can be used to increase learning comprehension by: challenging all students. Once this class is dismissed, is when they can think about these concepts and how it can help to improve their ability to understand the language. This is the point they can take these ideas and build upon them during the next session.

Follow up: This is when the teacher will give the student practice using these ideas on their own. In general, this kind of approach will ensure that they have the ability to retain the information that was presented in class by: giving them the chance to reinforce these ideas through self-study. This is the point that the underlying amounts of learning comprehension will be increases. As they have the ability to answer a number of different questions and apply these ideas on their own. Once this takes place, it means that the teacher can ensure that the student is exposed to the concepts that were presented in class. (Farrell 2008, pg. 22) (Carter, 2001)

When you put these different elements together, they are showing how the approach that is being taken is addressing some of the most common challenges facing English language learners. As, they will have a number of different formats for: building off of and introducing new ideas. This is when they will be able to address the various issues that have been affecting them. At which point, they can have a greater understanding of the material due to the fact that they are exposed to these concepts in a wide variety of formats.

Skills

Supporting Materials that can be used for the Lesson

To help to achieve the different objectives used in the lesson plan that was outlined requires that we must be able to utilize a number of different tactics. Some of the most notable include: taking into account the student's native language, their culture and ensuring that they are using English in the proper context. These elements are important, because if they can be used in conjunction with one another they will help to improve the ability of the student to learn more effectively. As the educator, is reaching out to them in a format that will increase their overall understanding of key concepts and their ability to deal with a host of issues that they will face in the real world. This is the point, that they can be able to maximize their understanding of the material (which will help making adjustments easier). (My Notes 2011) (Carter, 2001)

Taking into account the student's native language: Understanding the language, is when the educator is able to relate to students in: such a way that they are able to reach out to them in a format that makes sense. This means that they must build off of the words that the student understands from their native language. The way that this is accomplished is through using: the proper meaning, form, pronunciation and use of the words in everyday situations. These elements are important, because they will ensure that educators are able to reach out to each student in format that they can relate to. Once this occurs, is when they can help to improve their ability to use various words from English in a way that will make certain they are able to succeed. This is the point when they can help address these differences by: reaching out to them in format they can understand. (My Notes 2011) (Carter, 2001)

The Student's Culture: Understanding the student's culture is when they are able to improve the overall amount of learning comprehension that is taking place. The way that this is occurring is through the educator knowing various cultural norms and phrases that are common for this individual. This will help to create a bridge between the ideas that were being presented and their ability to understand a wide variety of concepts. Once this occurs, it means that the student can be able to make the connection with English. This is the point that their knowledge will improve through having some kind of foundation that they can relate to. Once this occurs, it means that that the student will have a more effective understanding of new ideas that are presented in class. (My Notes 2011) (Carter, 2001)

The use of English in the Proper Context: The use of English in the proper context is when teacher will build upon the different techniques that were discussed earlier to increase the overall amounts of learning comprehension. The way that this will take place, is by ensuring that everyone understands how the various ideas and phrases are used in social as well as more formal setting. As, educators will need to make certain that everyone is following: the proper use of the language, they understand the different meanings of the words, there is a firm grasp of the pronunciation of the various words and they are applying these different words / phrases at the most appropriate times. This is significant, because it is highlighting how the proper use of the various concepts, will help everyone to be able to bridge the new ideas that are being presented with their culture. Once this occurs, is when they are able to increase learning comprehension and they can address issues to that could be difficult for many people who are struggling to learn the various ideas. (My Notes 2011) (Carter, 2001)

When you step back and look at the different techniques, it is clear that this is providing a basic foundation for helping to improve the effectiveness of the lesson plan. The reason why, is because you are using an approach that will ensure that they are able to effectively understand the concepts being presented by: taking into account their language and culture. This will help to make the plan more successful by effectively relating to each student on a level that they can be able to understand.

Evaluating the Lesson Plan

When you evaluate the lesson plan that has been presented, it is clear that it can be effective at helping English language learners to improve their overall amounts of learning comprehension. The reason why, is because we are focused on those areas that are taking into account their language, cultural traditions and how to properly use English in the right context.

At the same time, we are concentrating on giving the student repeated exposure to the various ideas that have been presented. This will help to build off of their existing knowledge, while introducing new ideas. As, they can take previous thoughts and use them to improve their understanding of the language.

A good example of this can be seen with comments from Fathman (2006) who said, "Students often need explicit linking of their previous work to the activity at hand. Then, discuss the objectives, content and language. That way you can be able to more easily assess the student's learning because you are clear about the direction of it." (Fatham 2006, pg. 103) This is significant, because it is showing how our lesson plan is helping to reach out these individuals. The reason why, is because we are concentrating on those areas that can be able to build some kind of bridge between: the existing knowledge of the student and the new concepts that are being introduced. Over the course of time, this will allow everyone to be able to more effectively relate to the ideas that are being presented. This is point that educators can help to effectively address the various challenges facing English language learners.

However, despite some of the positive attributes of lesson plan, we need to remember that teaching English language learners is a knowledge building process for the teacher as well. This is because they must be able to: understand different cultural concepts and the language of each student. This means that all teachers must be constantly studying their cultural and social norms of the student. They must then, tie in various phrases in English together through knowing and applying the native language of the individual. If this kind of approach can be taken it will ensure that everyone is able to understand the different concepts that have been presented.

At the same time, they must be able to have a certain amount of flexibility to adapt the lesson plans of the class to their needs. In this case an educator will want to ensure that everyone is: understanding the different concepts. Yet, they must do so in a way that will keep it fresh and exciting. This means that they must take an approach that will require them using other techniques to improve their understanding of the material.

For example, the current strategy is mainly focused on using various pictures, forms and questions to provide a better understanding of the material. However, to improve the ability of everyone to gain greater insights various speakers could be brought to the class that: can talk in the native language of the students and English. This could help to create a sense of excitement for the material that is being presented. The reason why, is because we are taking an approach that is different from other techniques that are being utilized. This will create a sense of importance, by allowing everyone to see how these ideas can be used in the real world through: providing another way of understanding the material. Once this occurs, it means that the students will remember the different concepts that were presented.

If this kind of philosophy can be embraced, it will ensure that they are able to gain a greater understanding of the ideas that were presented. This is the point that our lesson plan will be most effective at helping them to know how to comprehend and retain the concepts that were presented in class. Over the course of time, this will prepare everyone for the various issues they are facing in the real world. This is accomplished through using various techniques to bridge the difference between: their language and culture with that of English.

Conclusion

Clearly the most effective way that educators can be able to reach out to English language learners is through creating a lesson plan that is customized for them. This will be accomplished through: warm up exercises, pre-teaching techniques, controlled practices, semi-controlled practices and personalization. These elements are important because, they are showing how our basic philosophy is providing numerous formats for understanding the material that was presented.

At the same time, we will be using a number of different techniques to improve the overall amounts of learning comprehension to include: taking into account the student's native language, their culture and ensuring that they are using English in the proper context. These factors are significant, because they are helping us to understand how the lesson plan can be effective. As we are taking specific techniques and then augmenting them with a variety of issues that will have a positive impact on the student. This is because; the educator is using these elements to be able to: relate to the student and helping them to associate these concepts with those in English. Once this occurs, it means that everyone can know how to effectively deal with a host of issues that could have an effect on the individual. At which point, the teacher can be able to reach out them in a way that will make certain they are able to grasp these ideas. This is significant, because it is illustrating how our lesson plan is effective by: taking these concepts and building upon them. Where, this is creating a foundation for understanding the various ideas that were presented. This will help each student to remember, relate to and retain the information. At which point, they can begin applying these different concepts in the real world.