10 Great Ways to Help Dual Language Learners Thrive

June 25, 2024

What are some things teachers can do to improve outcomes for culturally and linguistically diverse students? Adapted from the practical guidebook Teaching Dual Language Learners by Mariela M. Páez & Lisa M. López, today’s post offers ten effective strategies for supporting academic success and language and literacy development for the increasing number of DLLs.

Strategies

1. Learn about your students’ home languages and cultures. Make the effort to learn some key words in the children’s home language and engage in and learn more about your students’ languages and cultures. This will help create a positive classroom climate.

2. Build background knowledge. Background knowledge involves a foundational understanding of concepts, which is key for reading comprehension. Introduce children to different cultural traditions and experiences. Use field trips, nature walks, and guest speakers to build contextual knowledge.

3. Try prereading books. Preread the book in their home language before the whole-group reading activity. This helps DLL students follow the storyline and learn new vocabulary.

4. Supplement book-reading strategies. Use gestures, like pointing to words, to support shared reading.

5. Provide scaf­folds during whole-group time. Pair DLL children with a buddy for turn and talk activities.

6. Play vocabulary games. Include a word wall and create games to reinforce sight vocabulary.

7. Provide explicit vocabulary instruction. Systematic instruction with child-friendly definitions is essential for DLLs.

8. Encourage writing attempts in both languages. Support children’s writing development in their home language and encourage family involvement.

9. Seek out tech tools in the child’s home language. Use technology to continue building first language skills.

10. Support continued home-language development. Encourage parents to use the home language to help children learn the school language.

As the authors of Teaching Dual Language Learners say, “both diversity and bilingualism must be viewed as assets in order to embrace best practices for working with the DLL population.” Remember that your students’ dual language learning is a strength!

Teaching Dual Language Learners

What Early Childhood Educators Need to Know

By Lisa M. López Ph.D., & Mariela Páez, Ed.D.

"Comprehensive, timely, well-researched, and highly accessible...addresses the need for research-based approaches that all early childhood educators can implement." —Linda Espinosa, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, University of Missouri-Columbia