What pops into your head when you hear the term “reluctant learners”? Finding a way to reach our reluctant learners can be a challenge, but unlocking the desire to learn in these students and helping them reach their full potential is incredibly rewarding and totally worth it. If you have ELL students who just seem to have no desire to learn the language, you’re not alone. Many teachers are facing this challenge right now. In this episode, I’m sharing 3 different ways you can help your reluctant learners begin to learn English.

For full show notes and more resources, head to https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/reluctant-to-learn-english

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It can be tempting to reach for worksheets as a quick way to find something to keep your ELL students busy. I’ve done it myself when I felt like I just needed to grab something quick that would save me time.

We know that using worksheets and workbooks are not the best way for students to learn a language. We need to provide our students with experiences and opportunities where they can engage with language right away so it’s not something they dread.

So how can you provide these opportunities for effective and engaging learning without adding a lot more work to your plate? That’s what I’m talking about in today’s episode.

I’ll be sharing 3 ways to go beyond the worksheet that will have your ELL students interacting with the language right away. With an increase in Newcomer students across the country, we have an opportunity as teachers to make a positive difference in these students’ lives and make language learning fun and effective.

For full show notes and more resources, head to https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/esl-worksheet/

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Imagine being 15 years old and moving to a new country where you don’t speak the language and being without your family. That’s exactly what today’s guest did when he signed a contract to play professional baseball for the Cincinnati Reds in July 1999.

Damaso Espino was born in Panama in 1983. He loved playing baseball, and when an opportunity came along for him to play professionally and continue his education, he courageously walked through that door. Just 2 weeks after signing the contract, he left his home and his family to set off on a new adventure.

This episode will show you from a newcomer’s perspective how important it is to build relationships with your ELL students and meet them where they are so they can feel comfortable from the very beginning. As an ELL teacher, you really are changing generations. You're changing communities. You're changing families through educating that one student you have in your class.

For the full show notes, head to https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/newcomer-to-mlb-scout/

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How can you have the biggest impact in helping your ELL students develop their English language skills? As teachers, we are pulled in many directions and constantly need to decide where to focus our time and attention. There are two often overlooked areas that we can focus on that will make a big difference in how well our students will be able to speak, read, and write in English.

Today’s episode is all about where to spend your time with your ELL students when you’re short on time. I’ll share the two areas I believe we should be spending more time on with our students and simple activities that you can add to your lesson plans that will reap great rewards for your students. As always, what is good for your ELL students is good for all your students!

One of the most important things for you as a teacher of ELLs to know is what is appropriate for your students at each language and grade level so they can continue to progress. I have created this free tool, WIDA Can-Do Descriptors Simplified, that you can use to help you set clear expectations for your students and ensure their success: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/wida/

For all the resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/short-on-time-do-this 

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Whether you are an ESL teacher or homeroom teacher, you’re juggling a lot of things and are doing your best to support your ELL students. Sometimes the lines can get blurry when it comes to exactly what that support should look like.

Specifically, there seems to be a lot of confusion around what ELLs need and what is not really that beneficial to them. Some of your go-to strategies, even with the best of intentions, could actually be hindering their English language journey. For example, if you’re working with newcomers, you might immediately think that you have to translate everything into their native language. In reality, that’s not the case. While there are exceptions to this, we want students to be immersed in the language of their classroom.

If you’re feeling unsure as to what you should or should not be doing with your ELLs, I’m going to help clear things up. I’ll share 3 things to stop doing to support your English Language Learners, as well as what to do instead. These strategies will help your newcomers acclimate to life in your classroom, save you planning time, and increase student engagement.

In honor of this brand new podcast, I’m celebrating with a giveaway of five $25 TPT gift cards! Plus one grand prize winner will receive my course, ELL Strategy Academy, a one year subscription to my membership, Equipping ELLs, and a $50 TPT gift card!

Here’s how to enter the giveaway:

Follow, rate, and write a review on Apple Podcasts. Screenshot your review and send it to me on Instagram @inspiringyounglearners. BONUS ENTRY: Screenshot your favorite launch episode, add it to your Instagram stories, and tag me.

Check out the show notes for more resources from this episode: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/3-things-to-stop-doing-with-ells/

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We live in a monolingual society, and, unfortunately, the belief that English is the superior language is what most of our federal and state laws were founded on and still support. Today’s guest combines her love of learning about language and cultures with a passion for the law, and she is on a mission to make education more equitable for our ELL students.

Brooke Boutwell has firsthand experience as a multilingual learner. She knows what it’s like to live in a foreign country as a student without any academic support or accommodations and how much that can impact a student’s confidence and self-esteem. Brooke is dedicated to helping teachers support their ELL students in the classroom so they can be successful and receive the education they deserve.

In this episode, Brooke shares how her own experiences as a multilingual learner shaped her career as an educator. She also shares helpful tips and strategies any teacher can use to create a supportive learning environment for their ELL students. When we teach with our ELLs in mind, all of our students succeed.

In honor of this brand new podcast, I’m celebrating with a giveaway of five $25 TPT gift cards! Plus one grand prize winner will receive my course, ELL Strategy Academy, a one year subscription to my membership, Equipping ELLs, and a $50 TPT gift card!

Here’s how to enter the giveaway:

Follow, rate, and write a review on Apple Podcasts. Screenshot your review and send it to me on Instagram @inspiringyounglearners. BONUS ENTRY: Screenshot your favorite launch episode, add it to your Instagram stories, and tag me.

Check out the show notes for more resources: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/advocating-for-multilingual-learners/

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Does getting a newcomer to your classroom cause you to feel stressed and overwhelmed? Having new students join the classroom can be extremely overwhelming to both teachers and students, especially when those students are also new to the language. It can be easy to focus on what newcomers need to learn. However, we have to build trust before students will learn the language.

When you spend time preparing for a newcomer’s arrival, you will ensure they will feel supported and loved the moment they join your classroom. This will reduce the stress and anxiety your newcomers feel.

In this episode, I share easy ways that you can make sure your students feel comfortable on their very first day in your classroom so they’ll be excited about coming back to school. I also give you tips for building a strong foundation of trust during the first few weeks of school so your newcomers will feel more confident in the classroom.

In honor of this brand new podcast, I’m celebrating with a giveaway of five $25 TPT gift cards! Plus one grand prize winner will receive my course, ELL Strategy Academy, a one year subscription to my membership, Equipping ELLs, and a $50 TPT gift card!

Here’s how to enter the giveaway:

Follow, rate, and write a review on Apple Podcasts. Screenshot your review and send it to me on Instagram @inspiringyounglearners. BONUS ENTRY: Screenshot your favorite launch episode, add it to your Instagram stories, and tag me.

Check out the show notes for more resources: inspiringyounglearners.com/welcome-newcomers/

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Have you ever stopped to think about how scary it is to learn a language? If you’ve ever visited a foreign country or traveled abroad, you may have experienced how awkward and embarrassing it can feel to make a mistake or not know how to communicate in another language. Our ELL students experience this all the time at school.

It can be overwhelming for our students to feel constant anxiety and fear around what we may consider simple classroom activities. On top of that, many teachers experience overwhelm and anxiety when it comes to supporting ELL students in the classroom. We want to do our best, but statistics show that we are not receiving adequate training to effectively support some of our most vulnerable students.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing my 3-Step Framework that makes it easier to support your ELL students. By incorporating all 3 steps, you and your ELLs will experience less anxiety and overwhelm and more success and confidence.

In honor of this brand new podcast, I’m celebrating with a giveaway of five $25 TPT gift cards! Plus one grand prize winner will receive my course, ELL Strategy Academy, a one year subscription to my membership, Equipping ELLs, and a $50 TPT gift card!

Here’s how to enter the giveaway:

Follow, rate, and write a review on Apple Podcasts. Screenshot your review and send it to me on Instagram @inspiringyounglearners. BONUS ENTRY: Screenshot your favorite launch episode, add it to your Instagram stories, and tag me.

Check out the show notes for more resources: inspiringyounglearners.com/3-step-framework-for-supporting-ells/

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Do you ever wonder if you are doing what’s best for your ELL students? You’re not alone. Many teachers feel lost when it comes to the complexities of teaching ELLs. They doubt that what they’re doing is really working, so they constantly change materials and plans, leading to overwhelm and stress.

What is the biggest factor that is preventing you from helping your ELLs have greater success? In today’s episode, I’m giving you 3 mindset shifts that will have a huge impact on the success of your ELL students. I believe these mindset shifts will have a greater impact than smaller class sizes, more support, or more training. They will give you a new level of confidence and empower you to equip your English language learners so they have what they need to thrive today, tomorrow, and for life.

In honor of this brand new podcast, I’m celebrating with a giveaway of five $25 TPT gift cards! Plus one grand prize winner will receive my course, ELL Strategy Academy, a one year subscription to my membership, Equipping ELLs, and a $50 TPT gift card!

Here’s how to enter the giveaway:

1. Follow, rate, and write a review on Apple Podcasts.
2. Screenshot your review and send it to me on Instagram @inspiringyounglearners.
3. BONUS ENTRY: Screenshot your favorite launch episode, add it to your Instagram stories, and tag me.
4. 
   

Check out the show notes for more resources: inspiringyounglearners.com/the-one-reason-your-ells-arent-making-growth/

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Welcome to Equipping ELLs! This podcast will empower you to equip your English Language Learners with the important skills they need to thrive in your classroom and beyond. Whether you teach kindergarten or twelfth grade ELLs, you'll hear practical strategies that you can walk away with and make your own. 

In addition to this podcast, you can find more done-for-you resources at inspiringyounglearners.com. If you are looking for a community of like-minded educators, come join our Facebook group: Inspiring Young Learners Engage, where you can ask questions, feel encouraged, and connect with other passionate educators from around the world.

Follow Beth on Instagram @inspiringyounglearners.

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