Scaffoldingfor English Learners

What is Scaffolding?

Scaffolding…

Is assistance provided by a teacher to help a student preform within their Zone of Proximal Development

Helps a student accomplish something that is greater than what they could accomplish alone, without support

3 typesof

Scaffoldingaddressed in SIOP

Verbal

Procedural

Instructional

VerbalScaffolding

Verbal Scaffolding What is it?

use prompting, questioning, & elaboration to facilitate students’ movement to higher levels of language proficiency

effective teacher-student interaction promotes learner confidence when it is geared to a student’s language competence

requires teacher knowledge of a student’s current language proficiency levels

Verbal Scaffolding Example: Paraphrasing

restating a student’s response in another form or in other words

used to clarify student meaning & model correct English

Verbal Scaffolding Example: Using “think-alouds”

model out-loud how effective strategy users think and monitor their understanding

example: what a teacher may might model for students… “When I’m preparing to read a chapter, I ask myself, ‘What is the

main concept I’m supposed to learn?’ If I look at the big bold heading at the top of the page, I’ll get an idea. The heading might be black or it could be another color. I see here that it’s pink .’ Now I need to look at the other headings on the pages to see if they will help me determine what is especially important. Usually I think about what I already know about the topic. If I know something about it, it helps me understand better.”

Verbal Scaffolding Example: Reinforcing Contextual

Definitions

pointing out how to figure out the meaning of a word from the surrounding text

example text: Aborigines, the people native to Australia, were being

forced from their homes. teacher highlights how, “the phrase, ‘the people native to

Australia’ tell us what the word ‘Aboriginals’ means.”

Note: if you ever rewrite/adapt a text yourself, (which would be considered another type of scaffolding by SIOP,) it would be good to add this sort of information to your rewrite

Verbal Scaffolding Example: Providing correct pronunciation by repeating

students’ responses enunciate carefully, but naturally

keep natural inflection and pronunciation

Verbal Scaffolding Example: Slowing speech,

increasing pauses, and speaking in phrases

pause between phrases

allow students additional think time so they can process the language

Verbal Scaffolding Example: Eliciting more language and information from the students

ask questions

allow extra time for student response

ProceduralScaffolding

Procedural Scaffolding

What is it?

methods of setting up lessons that ensure student assistance from a more experienced individual

assistance may be from a teacher &/or peer

Procedural Scaffolding

Instructional Framework Example

instructional framework that includes the following components… explicit teaching guided practice/practice with peers independent practice

expectation: independent application

example: Gradual Increase of Student Independence (on following slide)

Gradual Increase of Student Independence

emphasis on the potential

recursive need for

additional support

deemphasizes linear model of Gradual

Release of Responsibility

Figure 5.1 from SIOP

Procedural Scaffolding

teacher instruction examples

Small group instruction with children practicing a newly learned strategy with another more experienced student

one-on-one teaching, coaching, or modeling

Procedural Scaffolding

peer support example

Partnering/grouping students for reading & content activities with more experienced readers assisting those with less experience

InstructionalScaffolding

Instructional Scaffolding

What is it?

helps a student access content

help a student access language concepts

Instructional Scaffolding

Example

graphic organizers as a pre-reading tool to help prepare students for the content of a textbook chapter

Instructional Scaffolding

Example: Graphic OrganizerDirections notes:

All parts not used

for all words

Instructional Scaffolding

Example

Model of completed assignments posters booklets podcasts

give students a clear picture of the goal

Scaffolding Tips

Keep in Mind…

Scaffolding is provided by the more knowledgeable individual (i.e.: teacher)

Scaffolds help student achieve something that they could not achieve independently

Scaffolds should be temporary

Scaffolding should be withdrawn gradually

More Scaffolding Ideas

Source: Aida Walqui,

co-author of

Scaffolding the Academic Success of Adolescent English Language Learners: A Pedagogy of Promise

Working with ESL/Bilingual

Teachers

Working with an ESL/Bilingual Teacher Consider district program model (many

different types of ESL/Bilingual programs)

Understand expectations of your particular program

Some shared and some separate responsibilities

ESL/Bilingual Teacher as a Source of Information

on a Student’s English Language Proficiency…

English Language Proficiency scores listening speaking reading writing oral literacy comprehension overall (state defined level, reported to state and federal

governemnt)

Assessments used to measure English proficiency

Alternate English Language Assessment for Students with Disabilities (SwD, federal designation) labeled severe

ESL/Bilingual Teacher as a

Source of Information on a

Student’s Background…

ESL/Bilingual Teacher

compiles & shares with relevant Staff

May Include:Home language(s)

proficiency/iesHome culture

Family StructureLikes & Strengths

Example Student Background Information (right)

ESL/Bilingual Teacher as a Source of Information on a Student Data…

ESL/Bilingual Teacher Data Records & Analysis Example

ESL/Bilingual Teacher: Specializes in Language

Acquisition Work with students to help them learn

English

Coach classroom teacher to help differentiate lessons

Model instruction that is effective for English Learners

ESL/Bilingual Teacher:

Knowledgeable of Language

TransferWhat is Language Transfer?

Language Transfer: when a learner applies knowledge from their native language of language/how language works/convention/structure/rules/etc. to a new language they are learning

natural & normal part of second language acquisition

is specific to languages and the order languages are learned

ESL/Bilingual Teacher:

Knowledgeable of Language

TransferLanguage Transfer…

Produces dialect often labeled with a blend of name of 2 languages, examples: Spanglish, Hmonglish…

Has predictable patterns and stages

Is very important to understand to help differentiate difference from disability

ESL/Bilingual Teacher:

Knowledgeable of Language

Transfer positive transfer: way in which first language is helpful in that knowledge holds true or is “correct” in second language example: cognates (words in two languages

that share a similar meaning, spelling, & pronunciation)

español (Spanish) English

color color

familia family

firme firm

flexible flexible

galaxia galaxy

inmigrantes immigrants

practicar practice (to)

ESL/Bilingual Teacher:

Knowledgeable of Language

Transfer negative transfer: when transference from

understanding of 1st language is undesirable because of linguistic differences teachable moment second language learners

do not make errors! (though they may overgeneralize structure and rules until they learn how a new language works--natural)

“errors” are predictable and expected

false cognates

Spanish—English

embarazada, a Spanish word, sounds like English for ________

embarazada means…

pronouns

Hmong language: gender-neutral pronouns only

English language: gender-specific pronouns & gender-neutral pronouns

Expected/typical error of a native Hmong speaker learning English: “He is my mom.” instead of “She is my mom.”

ESL/Bilingual Teacher:

Knowledgeable of Language

TransferNegative Transfer Examples

ESL/Bilingual Teacher: Accommodations &

Modifications For standardized

assessments, state department of education defines annually

To use allowable accommodations &/or modifications, they should be something the child receives in class, regularly

Example matrix on following slides

A Few Closing Thoughts

Why We Scaffold…

Examples How Vocabulary is

Difficult & Crucial1. The bandage was wound around the

wound

2. The farm was used to produce produce

3. The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse

4. We must polish the Polish furniture

5. He could lead if he would get the lead out

Why We Scaffold…

More Examples How Vocabulary is

Difficult & Crucial6. The soldier decided to desert his dessert

in the desert

7. Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present

8. A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum

9. When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes

10. I did not object to the object

Questions?Comments?