45 Strategies That Support Young Dual Language Learners

by

Shauna L. Tominey, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Practice Parenting Education Specialist Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon

and

Elisabeth C. O’Bryon, Ph.D.

Co-founder and Head of Research Family Engagement Lab Oakland, California

Contents

• 1. Introduction to Dual Language Learners
• 2. Getting Started: Foundations for Supporting Dual Language Learners
  • Strategy 1: Get Comfortable with Key Terms and Definitions
  • Strategy 2: Expand Your Knowledge of Dual Language Learners and Their Families
  • Strategy 3: Understand the Benefits of Being a Dual Language Learner
  • Strategy 4: Support Development of the Home Language and English
  • Strategy 5: Implement Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices
• 3. Setting Up Your Classroom to Support Dual Language Learners
  • Strategy 6: Get to Know the Children in Your Class and Their Families
  • Strategy 7: Establish a Welcoming Learning Environment
  • Strategy 8: Organize the Classroom to Support Success
  • Strategy 9: Embed Best Practices
• 4. Supporting Social and Emotional Learning for Dual Language Learners
  • Strategy 19: Create an Emotionally Supportive Classroom
  • Strategy 20: Recognize and Scaffold Children’s Social and Emotional Needs
  • Strategy 21: Teach Social and Emotional Skills
  • Strategy 22: Support Social and Emotional Development in English and in Each Child’s Home Language
  • Strategy 23: Involve Families in Children’s Social and Emotional Learning
  • Strategy 24: Use a Growth Mindset to Teach Social and Emotional Skills
• 5. Enhancing Early Academic Skills for Dual Language Learners
  • Strategy 25: Make Learning Activities Accessible to Diverse Learners
  • Strategy 26: Embed Best Practices into Read-Alouds
  • Strategy 27: Embed Best Practices into Math and Science Activities
  • Strategy 28: Draw Connections Between Activities and Children’s Home Language and Culture
  • Strategy 29: Engage Families in Children’s Learning
• 6. Engaging Dual Language Learners Through Music and Movement
  • Strategy 30: Learn About Culture Through Music and Movement
  • Strategy 31: Invite Children and Families to Share Music with the Classroom
  • Strategy 32: Share Classroom Music with Families
  • Strategy 33: Build Children’s Vocabulary and Early Literacy Skills Through Music
• 7. Engaging Families from Diverse Backgrounds
  • Strategy 34: Help Children Prepare for the Transition to School
  • Strategy 35: Promote Regular Communication with Families
  • Strategy 36: Provide Families with Ways to be Engaged in School
  • Strategy 37: Approach Challenging Conversations with Empathy and Understanding
  • Strategy 38: Ask Families For Feedback
• 8. Continuing to Grow Through Professional Development
  • Strategy 39: Develop Cultural Awareness and Adopt Self-Reflective Practices
  • Strategy 40: Expand Your Multicultural Knowledge
  • Strategy 41: Participate in Professional Development Activities
  • Strategy 42: Learn How to Effectively Conduct Assessments
  • Strategy 43: Involve Families in Decisions Related to Assessments
  • Strategy 44: Understand Mandated Reporting Laws and Regulations
  • Strategy 45: Think of Yourself as a Lifelong Learner

Fostering a Classroom Community of Diverse Learners

STRATEGY

Create a Classroom Community

Creating a classroom community involves putting in place supports for DLLs as well as for all children in the classroom. Involving all children in creating a supportive classroom community is essential to ensuring that all children have the feelings educators would like them to have—feelings that will help children be ready to learn, such as security, support, happiness, excitement, curiosity, and interest.

Creating a classroom community goes beyond giving DLLs the support they need to feel like part of the classroom. It also involves helping children develop the skills they need to have access to the same social and educational experiences as other children.

Apply Strategy 12

• Help children learn one another’s names as well as the names of teachers in the classroom. Sing songs or play games that encourage children to practice saying each other’s names.
• Talk openly with children about the different languages that are spoken in your classroom. Share with children that some children in our class are learning English and that they may need our help practicing new words.
• Provide children with varied opportunities to get to know one another. Use a think-pair-share or “turn and talk” approach during large or small group times.
• During partner opportunities, alternate between pairing children who speak the same home language to foster interactions that promote language development.
• Provide leadership opportunities for all children to help them develop pride in their own culture and language.
• Encourage children to learn phrases in multiple languages that will help them interact positively with one another.

STRATEGY

Frame Diversity as a Strength

It is natural for children to notice similarities and differences between themselves and their peers as they learn about the world.

Apply Strategy 13

• Choose classroom themes that celebrate the similarities and the differences within your class as strengths. Communicate to children that culture is all around them.
• Talk about similarities and differences within your class. Chart eye color, hair color, favorite foods, likes/dislikes, and traditions.
• Have open conversations with children about stereotypes and biases. Discuss how diversity exists within many forms in the classroom.
• Model a positive perspective toward diversity by expressing genuine interest in children’s home values or cultures.

Creating a supportive classroom community for children from diverse backgrounds involves understanding their needs, fostering relationships, and embracing diversity as a strength. By doing so, educators can cultivate an environment where all students feel valued and capable of learning.