Full Description
"This book is one of the best I've read on how the brain functions in second language learners and is invaluable for understanding ELLs with learning disabilities."
—Irma Guadarrama, Professor
University of Texas-Pan American College of Education "David Sousa brings together all of the research about the brain to show the process of learning multiple languages and offers ways to implement effective teaching strategies with quality instruction."
—Sharon Latimer, ESL Teacher
Plano ISD, TX
Raise your ELL success quotient and watch student achievement soar!
Teachers are more likely to succeed if they have a deeper understanding of the challenges students face in trying to learn English and course content simultaneously. How the ELL Brain Learns combines current research on how the brain learns language with strategies for teaching English language learners in K-12 classrooms. Award-winning author and brain research expert David A. Sousa describes the linguistic reorganization needed to acquire another language after the age of 5 years. He supplements this information with immediately applicable tools, including:
A self-assessment pretest for gauging your understanding of how the brain learns languages
Ready-to-use brain-compatible strategies for teaching English learners across the curriculum
An entire chapter about how to detect English language learning problems, with sections on the social, cultural, and physical causes
Each chapter features teaching tips that translate the research into step-by-step classroom applications. Also included are intervention strategies to use with struggling ELLs, including methods for working with older students.
Contents
List of Teaching Tips
About the Author
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Who are English Language Learners?
About This Book
What Do You Already Know?
1. Learning the First Language(s)
Spoken Language Comes Naturally
Structure of Language
Levels of Language Comprehension
Learning Two First Languages
What's Coming
Key Points to Ponder
2. Learning a New Language (English) Later
The Challenge of Acquiring a New Language Later
Learning English Is Not Easy
What's Coming
Key Points to Ponder
3. Teaching English Language Listening and Speaking
Searching for the Best Model
Listening
Speaking
What's Coming
Teaching Tips
Key Points to Ponder
4. Teaching English Language Reading and Writing
Reading
Writing
What's Coming
Teaching Tips
Key Points to Ponder
5. Teaching Language Arts and Social Studies
The Language Components of Learning Content in English
Teaching English Language Arts to ELLs
Teaching Social Studies to ELLs
What's Coming
Teaching Tips
Key Points to Ponder
6. Teaching Mathematics and Science
Teaching Mathematics to ELLs
Teaching Science to ELLs
What's Coming
Teaching Tips
Key Points to Ponder
7. Recognizing and Addressing Problems in Learning English
Learning Problem or Learning Disability?
Helping ELLs With Learning Disabilities
What's Coming
Teaching Tips
Key Points to Ponder
8. Putting It All Together
The Diversity of English Language Learners
Misconceptions About ELLs and English Language Acquisition
Basic Components for ELL Instruction
Gifted and Talented ELLs
Conclusion
Teaching Tips
Key Points to Ponder
Glossary
References
Resources
Index
