Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/ell-lesson
In today’s increasingly diverse classrooms, effective lesson planning for English Language Learners (ELLs) has never been more crucial. The course ‘Lesson Planning with the ELL in Mind’ on Coursera offers educators the tools and strategies needed to design lessons that cater specifically to the needs of ELL students. This course is particularly beneficial for mainstream teachers who might feel unprepared to meet the linguistic demands of their learners.
The course is structured into six comprehensive modules. Each module builds upon the previous one, providing an in-depth exploration of important concepts related to second language acquisition (SLA) and instructional strategies tailored for ELLs.
Module Breakdown:
- Week 1: ELL Language and Communication Skills Across the Curriculum – This week focuses on understanding theories of SLA and assessing students’ language skills through Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS) and Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP). It’s vital for educators to classify vocabulary and identify grammatical structures relevant to their content areas.
- Week 2: ELL Cognitive and Learning Skills Across the Curriculum – Here, educators learn to engage ELL cognitive skills and design a supportive classroom environment that reduces the affective filter, enabling better learning outcomes for students.
- Week 3: Lesson Planning with the ELL in Mind – This module dives into writing effective lesson plans and adapting existing materials to ensure all students can engage with the content. The focus is on setting achievable language learning outcomes that align with content objectives.
- Week 4: Materials and Lesson Delivery – Educators explore how to select and adapt materials for ELLs, leveraging word, sentence, and text-level analyses to provide linguistic access.
- Week 5: ELL Lesson Planning in Action – This hands-on module allows participants to review and analyze three fully developed lesson plans, deepening their understanding of SLA and its implications in practice.
- Week 6: Assessment – The final week involves synthesizing information learned throughout the course, completing a final exam, and participating in an optional peer review.
Overall, ‘Lesson Planning with the ELL in Mind’ equips educators with not only theoretical knowledge but also very practical skills that can be implemented in their unique teaching contexts. The course is well-paced, and the content is relevant, ensuring that you leave with a robust toolkit for effective lesson design.
I highly recommend this course for educators at any stage of their teaching career, especially those looking to improve their inclusivity and effectiveness in mainstream classrooms with ELLs. The insights gained from this course will make a tangible difference in the educational experiences of ELL students.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/ell-lesson