English as a Second Language: Videos

Babies and young children are able to pick up their native language with remarkable ease, yet few children who are taught a language in school have anything to show for it when they grow up. Why is learning a second or third language so difficult? Enough is now known about the process of language acquisition to suggest that language teaching can be more effective. This BBC Horizon program looks at some of the different language acquisition methods in use in schools around the world.

Developed in consultation with award-winning psychologist Kenneth Shore, Ph.D., this program reviews basic ESL standards and strategies, gives examples of how to incorporate techniques into teaching various subject areas, suggests ways to assist ELLs in mastering English in social and community settings, and addresses the use of technology in helping ELLs improve their understanding and expand their knowledge. Correlates to national standards from the Center for Applied Linguistics and TESOL.

Follow 2nd-grade ELL students at a world-renowned bilingual school through language arts, science, math, and social studies, where teachers use best practices to address needs of English Language Learners. Techniques include: immersion in a content-based approach (where students learn academic content, vocabulary, and language patterns simultaneously), and second language teaching strategies (e.g. visuals, total physical response, verbal interaction, learning buddies, read aloud, and repetition).

See how subject area and ESL teachers help ELLs work toward language acquisition and academic achievement simultaneously. It explains the value of pre-teaching in small groups to keep students from falling behind, engaging them in conversations using the academic language of the classroom, grouping students of differing proficiency levels, and teaching academic vocabulary from content standards by using scaffolds such as flashcards, repetition, movement, gestures, and songs.

English Language Learners expert Jo Gusman, presents a model for differentiating instruction in culturally and linguistically diverse classrooms. Gusman outlines her Foundation-Framework-Tools model for creating language acquisition programs that meet the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requirements. Listen to teachers that use research-based theoretical frameworks such as multiple intelligences, affective filter, and comprehensive input to design language acquisition programs.

This program explores the linguistic needs of English Language Learners and introduces classroom-proven strategies for teaching ELL students literacy skills. Specifically, the video is broken into three parts: dealing with the diversity found in today's schools and meeting individual needs, implementing effective reaching strategies with tiered vocabulary and a six-part scaffolding process, and improving reading comprehension and writing composition by encouraging collaboration.

What is it like to be a English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher? In this Career Q&A video interview, Anne McDowell talks about her career path, what she does on the job, and the keys to success teaching English as a second language. She also offers candid advice on breaking into the profession as well as insight into the industry’s biggest challenges and how the field may change in the next ten years.

Watch teachers accommodate ESL learners with real-life classroom examples and practical strategies. See how teachers consider the language demands of lessons and use non-verbal cues to enhance comprehension. Learn how language modeling builds confidence and how to differentiate between language and content. See the "Think-Pair-Share" strategy for concept checking and understand the importance of integrating cognitive taxonomies and learning styles to build thinking skills.

The inclusive “push-in” model with coteaching has become the preferred approach in classrooms. Schools use this model to provide ELL students the opportunity to build their vocabulary through academic content and set quality curriculum expectations while focusing on the capacities students bring to the classroom, encouraging them to embrace differences and create an atmosphere of shared experience and culture. See how to integrate your program for ELLs with your RTI effort.

This program visits classrooms where teachers engage in evidence-based assessments that allow students to show what they know. It discusses rich and complex tasks, which are problem-based, integrated, open-ended, and authentic; hands-on activities that require demonstration of learning; formative and summative tasks that require spoken, written, and visual communication; and task-based rubrics that use qualitative language rather than grades to clarify student performance.

Today's new teachers are responsible for ensuring diverse students with disabilities and ELLs meet higher educational standards, pass high-stakes testing, and are equipped to succeed in a technology-driven workplace. This video explores Stanford University's Teacher Preparation Strategies, which include redesigned schedules, team teaching, mentoring, and teacher portfolios. Strategies stress collaboration between administrators, principals, staff development personnel, and teachers.