Making Science Accessible to English Learners: A Guidebook for Teachers

This guidebook is for science teachers, particularly in upper elementary, middle school, and high school, who have ample knowledge of science standards and concepts, are comfortable with basic teaching and classroom management methodologies, but may have had limited preparation for teaching science in classrooms where at least some students are also English learners. The book offers science teachers practical guidance and some powerful, concrete ways to help the English learners in their classrooms better learn the language and processes of science. Includes

• Charts of the most important language skills by developmental levels for English learners
• Specific strategies for promoting academic language and scientific discourse
• Concrete tips and tools for teaching science vocabulary
• Seven ways to scaffold English learners’ understanding of science and differentiate instruction for different levels of English ability
• Classroom assessment techniques that lower communication barriers for English learners
• Two integrated lesson scenarios demonstrating how to combine and embed these various strategies, techniques, and approaches

"The strategies in Making Science Accessible to English Learners are invaluable." - Bill Pence, Science Teacher, California High School, San Ramon, California

“Making Science Accessible to English Learners provides a clear framework — captures a great deal in a succinct and practical format.” - Dolores Beltran, Assistant Professor, California State University, Los Angeles, California