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  • Writer's picturekatelyn russell
    • Oct 11
    • 1 min read

Five Things I've Learned In My First Month Teaching ELLs

I teach in a small, rural Massachusetts school district. Which maybe, might, sort of, explain why this is the first year I have ELL students in my classroom. We’re only a month in, yet figuring out how to teach and support these students has been one of the highlights of my career. Here are five things I’ve learned so far:

  • Imagine being 15 years old, moving to a new country where you don’t speak the language under traumatic circumstances, and then being plopped in a health class. Start from that place of empathy.

  • Google Translate isn’t perfect but it’s better than nothing. Use it. And put it in your email signature.

  • Students can translate easily in Chrome (but the translation doesn’t seem to work well in Google Slides).

  • You are an adult, the burden is on you to learn about the student’s home country and culture. And you can also ask questions to build rapport and connection.

  • Slow down. Speak clearly. Embrace wait time.

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