What strategies can you use to create an inclusive classroom environment for English language learners?

1 Know your students

The first step to creating an inclusive classroom environment is to know your students' backgrounds, cultures, languages, strengths, needs, and interests. You can use surveys, interviews, portfolios, or other tools to gather information about your ELLs and their families. This will help you to tailor your instruction, materials, and activities to their diverse learning styles, preferences, and goals. It will also help you to avoid stereotypes, biases, and assumptions that might hinder your communication and rapport with your ELLs.

2 Foster a positive climate

The second step to creating an inclusive classroom environment is to foster a positive climate where your ELLs feel safe, valued, and respected. You can do this by establishing clear and consistent rules, routines, and expectations that promote cooperation, collaboration, and mutual respect. You can also model and encourage positive language, behavior, and feedback among your students and yourself. Moreover, you can celebrate your ELLs' cultures, languages, and achievements by integrating them into your curriculum, displays, and events.

3 Provide scaffolding and differentiation

The third step to creating an inclusive classroom environment is to provide scaffolding and differentiation to support your ELLs' comprehension and participation. Scaffolding refers to the temporary support that you give your ELLs to help them access the content and language of your lessons. For example, you can use visuals, gestures, demonstrations, graphic organizers, or sentence frames to clarify your instructions, explanations, or questions. Differentiation refers to the modification of your instruction, materials, or assessments to meet the diverse needs and levels of your ELLs. For example, you can use flexible grouping, choice boards, or tiered tasks to offer your ELLs different options, challenges, and outcomes.

5 Incorporate technology and multimedia

The fifth step to creating an inclusive classroom environment is to incorporate technology and multimedia into your teaching and learning. Technology and multimedia can enhance your ELLs' motivation, engagement, and access to the content and language of your lessons. You can use technology and multimedia to present information, provide feedback, create products, or assess learning. For example, you can use videos, podcasts, or online games to introduce or review a topic, use online tools, such as Kahoot or Quizlet, to check for understanding or practice vocabulary, or use digital platforms, such as Google Classroom or Padlet, to assign or showcase projects.

6 Engage families and communities

The sixth and final step to creating an inclusive classroom environment is to engage families and communities of your ELLs. Families and communities are valuable resources and partners for your ELLs' education and well-being. You can engage families and communities by communicating regularly and effectively with them, inviting them to participate in your classroom or school activities, or involving them in your curriculum or projects. For example, you can use newsletters, phone calls, or emails to share information or updates about your ELLs' progress or needs, you can invite them to attend or volunteer for your classroom or school events, or you can ask them to share their stories, experiences, or expertise with your students.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?