Using ChatGPT to Support Entering and Emerging ELLs/MLLs Across All Content Areas

Introduction Supporting Entering and Emerging English Language Learners (ELLs) and/or Multi-Language Learners (MLLs) while keeping instruction rigorous is a constant challenge in every content area. Language barriers make it tough for students to access grade-level material, but that doesn’t mean we should lower our expectations. Instead, we need tools that help us scaffold effectively without watering things down. ChatGPT is one of those tools. With the right approach, it can help bridge learning gaps, differentiate instruction, and provide meaningful academic support.?

If you have not used the technology I highly recommend you experiment with it (hopefully this article will inspire you to dip your toe in for the purpose of supporting our ELLs and MLLs. ChatGPT can support teachers in maximizing planning and preparation time in ways that were not possible before. Let’s get into some practical ways ChatGPT can work across subjects to support our ELLs and MLLs.?

1. Adjusting Text Complexity Without Losing Meaning Not all students can immediately tackle grade-level texts, but that doesn’t mean they can’t engage with the same content. ChatGPT allows teachers to:

• Simplify complex literary, scientific, historical, and mathematical texts while maintaining core ideas.
• Generate summaries in student-friendly language.
• Provide multiple reading levels of the same text for differentiation.

2. Building Background Knowledge A lack of prior knowledge can make it even harder for ELLs to engage with new content. ChatGPT can help by:

• Breaking down complex topics into digestible, clear explanations.
• Offering culturally relevant examples that resonate with diverse learners.
• Creating visual descriptions and step-by-step explanations to support comprehension.

3. Scaffolding Writing Across Subjects Writing in a new language is intimidating, and every subject requires some form of written expression. ChatGPT can support students by:

• Generating sentence starters and paragraph frames for everything from lab reports to historical analyses.
• Providing model responses to guide students in structuring their thoughts.
• Offering instant feedback on sentence structure and coherence.

4. Strengthening Academic Vocabulary Understanding and using academic vocabulary is a challenge for many ELLs. ChatGPT can help by:

• Creating word banks with clear, contextual definitions tailored to different subjects.
• Generating interactive vocabulary exercises and practice quizzes.
• Offering synonyms and sentence examples to help students build confidence in using new words.

5. Supporting Oral Language Development Speaking is just as important as reading and writing when it comes to language development. ChatGPT can simulate real-world practice by:

• Providing role-play scenarios (for example: scientific debates, historical discussions, math problem explanations).
• Generating conversation prompts to encourage classroom discussion.
• Offering dialogue models for different speaking tasks.

6. Quick Formative Assessments & Feedback ELLs/ MLLs need consistent, low-stakes assessments to track their progress. ChatGPT makes it easy to:

• Generate quick comprehension checks and quizzes for any subject.
• Provide immediate feedback on writing, problem-solving explanations, and project reflections.
• Suggest revisions to help students improve clarity and coherence in their responses.

Conclusion With the right strategies, ChatGPT can be an incredibly useful tool for making rigorous academic content accessible to Entering and Emerging ELLs/ MLLs across all subjects. It’s not about replacing good teaching—it’s about enhancing it. By integrating ChatGPT thoughtfully, we can provide meaningful scaffolds, differentiate instruction, and ensure that every student gets access to grade level curriculum and the support they need to achieve and exceed high expectations.