9) How can I support my Multilingual Learners’ content learning?
Language and content instruction are deeply interconnected. Children develop language most effectively during authentic and hands-on content learning experiences (e.g., math, science) where they can actively explore and make sense of new language and concepts.44 Strategic language support ensures that Multilingual Learners (MLs) have access to content learning. Content instruction should be integrated with language instruction. An effective teacher plans purposeful opportunities that help children interact with both the content and the language that is needed to understand the content.45 Content selected for instruction should be relevant to ML children’s experiences and cultures and learned in context. These strategies should be used in conjunction with the others in this Toolkit, particularly the additional ways of supporting oral language and literacy, and some of the specific strategies noted in Question 8 to provide additional support for English language development. When possible, the following strategies should be provided in both the home language and English so ML children can use their full range of language skills to speak and learn in each language.
Sample Lesson Plan & Resource Walk
Access additional resources developed to introduce teachers to the work of content learning. These activities, a sample lesson plan and a resource walk, are designed to support learning about this instructional topic area through structured exploration of resources on the website. Click the buttons below to access these resources.
Strategies in action
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Evidence-Based Strategies and Resources
9A) Provide hands-on, inquiry-based experiences to help give content and subject matter meaning and purpose.
DocumentTK
5-10 minutes
10-15 minutes
15-30 minutes
9B) Preview and review learning material (e.g., books, vocabulary) in the home language before teaching it in English, to activate and connect to background knowledge children have about the topic from their home language.
Video & Video Guide
Video: Model Curriculum for English Learners—Justice, Courage and Fairness (2nd grade)
5-10 minutes
Other5-10 minutes
Video & Video Guide
Video: Model Curriculum for English Learners – Weathering and Erosion (3rd grade)
5-10 minutes
9C) Provide targeted small group instruction for ML children to facilitate learning of new content and targeted support of language and literacy.
Website5-10 minutes
9D) Strategically organize ML children in pairs or small groups with same language peers to support content learning.
TK
5-10 minutes
5-10 minutes
9E) Provide multiple opportunities for children to engage with and practice content area vocabulary and concepts.
Downloadable template Video & Video Guide
Video: Model Curriculum for English Learners—Justice, Courage and Fairness (2nd grade)
5-10 minutes
5-10 minutes
10-15 minutes
TK
5-10 minutes
10-15 minutes
Strategies are interrelated
Individual strategies across the different instructional topics are interconnected and should be implemented together, in a purposeful and connected manner throughout instruction, and not in isolation. Make sure to also consider your classroom or school’s language model when implementing the strategies and adapt accordingly.
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Alignment with Existing California Educator Guidance Documents & Resources
The Multilingual Learning strategies are closely aligned with existing guidance documents and resources for educators in California. Learn how Content Learning strategies align with these existing resources, or to see how the standards align across all strategies, visit the alignment reference guide page.
