Tfhe Real Problem

Understanding the English language gets more difficult in a subject when the words to learn also imply a relationship such as cause and effect, individual ideas and generalizations. This co... See More

Understanding the English language gets more difficult in a subject when the words to learn also imply a relationship such as cause and effect, individual ideas and generalizations. This combined with the difficulty of not understanding a basic science word in their home language often presents a bigger challenge to a student. As the author points out this student may not know the home language equivalent to the science language. For this reason, inquiry based science helps these students and a sheltered language approach also is a benefit. This is a good background article for teachers to understand the unique problems students have with science vocabulary.

Why we teach science for ELLs

The authors provide an overview of why we should not wait to teach ELLs until they have good skills in English language. Using research, they present an argument in support of teaching scien... See More

The authors provide an overview of why we should not wait to teach ELLs until they have good skills in English language. Using research, they present an argument in support of teaching science at all levels of ELL, the importance of inquiry and "science talk" and how important it is to have individual goals for science learning and language acquisition for ELLs in the regular science classroom. The information presented is an overview of an ongoing topic that is increasingly important at all levels.