The ESL Teaching Podcast

In today's episode, I want to delve into the art of cultivating comprehension through strategic questioning for English learners.

Every day, I am amazed at how language intense our students' classes are. Instructions are given in lengthy paragraphs and posted in Google Classroom or any other form your school uses. Students are required to show their reasoning in writing in complete sentences when responding to long and complex questions in all subjects. And while I am all for keeping the standards high, I do sometimes wonder what would happen if we gave students clearer, more targeted instructions on how to engage with a project or assignment. Students already know a lot of information that is taught in their classes. They understand a lot more than they can tell you.

Since I live this every single day, I have found a way that works really well in helping my English learners access content and to those instructions and texts that seem to confuse everyone. In this episode, I will share with you 2 ways on how I use strategic questions to help students access the text, respond to open ended questions, and write paragraphs. I know this will be very helpful for not only EL teachers, but also content area teachers.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• Challenges faced by english learners
• The importance of asking specific questions to elicit student comprehension
• The importance of providing scaffolded support for students to comprehend and respond to text-based prompts
• Approaches to guiding students through reading comprehension and essay writing
• Strategies for facilitating comprehension for english learners
• Collaboration between EL and general education teachers
• Educator resources and ongoing support

Show Notes:

• Episode 93 - Cultivating Comprehension: The Art of Strategic Questioning for English Learners

Resources Mentioned:

• Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.
• Book a Free Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without Overwhelm
• The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. 
• Writing Vocabulary Posters
• Simply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers Store

Related/Previous Episodes:

• Episode 87 - What does it take to acquire a language and why all teachers should know this

Related links:

• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session 
• Essential Lesson Plan Bundle

Connect with Ieva:

• Instagram - @simplyievaesl
• Website - www.simplyieva.com
• Join the  - 

Support the show

December is right around the corner, and we all know that everything seems to gain speed once Thanksgiving is over. With a few weeks left before the holiday break in December, we also want to make sure our lessons are meaningful and not just busy work. Have you ever wondered what December holidays are celebrated around the world? This question has come up for me personally and has been popping up in the schools I work in as well. So I took it upon myself to do a little research and to create an EL lesson for both my students and colleagues. 

In this episode, which was first aired last year, I'm sharing how it all started and how it led me to answer the age old question..Are there any other holidays celebrated in December? And if so, what are they? Not all of our students celebrate Christmas. Although in my practice, they're very curious to learn about it and have had at least some exposure to it. I will share a brief overview of the December holidays, and we'll leave you with a fun lesson you can teach during those last days before the holiday break.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• Overview of December Holidays
• Ideas for Teaching December Holidays
• Sharing information with colleagues and follow-up
• Incorporating food as a topic for language practice
• Ready-made lesson plans

Show Notes:

• Episode 92 -  Embracing Diverse December Celebrations in ESL Classrooms

Resources Mentioned:

• The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. 
• Simply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers Store
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session 
• Essential Lesson Plan Bundle
• EL Curriculum Guide Grades K-5
• EL Curriculum Guide Grades 6-12

Related/Previous Episodes:

• Episode 45 - Q and A with Susan Patterson
• Episode 8 - 3 Step Roadmap

Connect with Ieva:

• Instagram - @simplyievaesl
• Website - www.simplyieva.com
• Join the  - Simply Ieva Facebook Group 

Support the show

As I was planning this episode out, I looked at all the things we talk about on this podcast. That is a lot! From EL newcomer teaching and all that is related to that, how to teach grammar and vocabulary, where to find materials, different teaching strategies and tips, teacher collaboration, ELs in regular education classrooms, and so many more topics. And since this podcast is for all of you involved in teaching multilingual learners, I wanted to make sure your voices are heard. On a daily basis, I received several emails that share your current biggest struggles as a teacher who works with EL students. After going through the questions, I began to see a pattern. Many of them fall under similar umbrellas. So let's do a little Q and A, shall we? I picked the most frequently repeated questions during the last few months, and I'm answering them in this episode.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• Common struggles faced by teachers regarding curriculum planning
• Details on the content covered in my curriculum guide (essential questions, objectives, vocabulary, grammar structures, etc.)
• Challenges faced by teachers in supporting middle school EL students and structuring class time
• Importance of structuring lessons in a predictable way for all students

Show Notes:

• Episode 91 - EL Curriculum Magic and Mastering Classroom Dynamics (Q and A)

Resources Mentioned:

• The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. 
• Simply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers Store
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session 
• Essential Lesson Plan Bundle
• EL Curriculum Guide Grades K-5
• EL Curriculum Guide Grades 6-12

Related/Previous Episodes:

• Episode 29 - How can having a newcomer curriculum guide save you time
• Episode 8 - 3 step roadmap
• Episode 17 - A peek into my middle school ELL classroom
• Episode 85 - A peek into my high school ELL classroom

Connect with Ieva:

• Instagram - @simplyievaesl
• Website - www.simplyieva.com
• Join the  - Simply Ieva Facebook Group 

Support the show

A couple of years ago, I had a conversation with a student who had just arrived from Turkey that inspired a monthly newsletter to our staff about celebrations around the world for that month. In November, as we were going over the days that we will be in school and why we have a break at the end of the month, we talked about the celebration of Thanksgiving and what typically happens during that time. 

Many of our ELs, unless they are in elementary schools, don't have a clear concept of the origins of certain purely American holidays. And the topic of Thanksgiving lends itself wonderfully to teaching history and language at the same time. So in this episode, I will share with you the answer to my student's question, and a lesson on Thanksgiving, the background, the aspects I chose to cover, and the very sequence.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• Teaching Thanksgiving to newcomers
• The Story of Thanksgiving
• Vocabulary practice and adaptations for different proficiency levels
• The importance of teaching history objectively and respectfully

Show Notes:

• Episode 90 - Teaching Thanksgiving with Accuracy and Empathy

Resources Mentioned:

• The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. 
• Simply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers Store
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session 
• Essential Lesson Plan Bundle
• The Story of Thanksgiving Lesson

Related/Previous Episodes:

• Episode 9 - Text Engineering For EL Students with Susan Patterson
• Episode 41 - Language, Inclusion and Moving Beyond for ELs with Carly Spina

Connect with Ieva:

• Instagram - @simplyievaesl
• Website - www.simplyieva.com
• Join the  - Simply Ieva Facebook Group 

Support the show

Welcome to episode 89 of The ESL Teaching Podcast! In this episode, we dive into the three Cs of EL family engagement: connection, community, and continued support. I want to share my personal experience of creating a space for parents of EL students to come together and have coffee and conversation. Through this informal setting, my partner and I discovered valuable lessons about building an inclusive community in schools and districts.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• The importance of family engagement in schools
• Challenges in engaging multilingual families
• My personal experience and empathy
• The Coffee and Conversation Initiative
• The 3 Cs of EL family engagement
• The impact of the coffee and conversation initiative

Show Notes:

• Episode 89 - The Three Cs of EL Family Engagement

Resources Mentioned:

• The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. 
• Simply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers Store
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session 
• Essential Lesson Plan Bundle

Related/Previous Episodes:

• Episode 7 - How to Make an Impact as an ESL Teacher
• Episode 56 - Inclusion and Advocacy for ELs and Teachers with Valetina Gonzalez
• Episode 8 - EL Curriculum in Three Easy Steps

Connect with Ieva:

• Instagram - @simplyievaesl
• Website - www.simplyieva.com
• Join the  - Simply Ieva Facebook Group 

Support the show

Reading is always a hot topic, and teaching reading to English learners presents its own set of challenges. It has to do with grade level, with English proficiency, and other factors. So today, I wanted to share with you how I have been implementing novel study this school year with my middle schoolers in particular, and that has allowed my students to be engaged in and motivated to read.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• Implementing a novel study in the classroom
• Challenges of teaching reading to English learners
• Selecting appropriate books based on student proficiency levels
• Balancing educational and enjoyable aspects of reading
• Enriching students' vocabulary through contextual usage in the book

Show Notes:

• Episode 88 - How to Use Novel Study to Enrich Vocabulary and Speaking

Resources Mentioned:

• The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. 
• Simply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers Store
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session 
• Essential Lesson Plan Bundle

Related/Previous Episodes:

• Episode 22 Teaching reading with Kristen Vibas
• Episode 17 - a peek into my middle school classroom
• Episode 85 - a peek into my high school classroom

Connect with Ieva:

• Instagram - @simplyievaesl
• Website - www.simplyieva.com
• Join the  - Simply Ieva Facebook Group 

Support the show

What does it take to acquire another language? In my previous episode, I used a phrase that I have heard many times, “Oh, but there's another language spoken in the home.” The statement can mean so many things and nothing at all. I want to break down what it takes to acquire another language in today's episode. 

If we are to embrace the notion that teaching multilingual learners is not just a job and care of the English Language Development (ELD) specialist, but that all of us play a part in the EL students' learning, then I want to offer some education around what it means to acquire another language.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• My background with language, when I learned English, and other languages I understand and speak
• Learning two or more languages at the same time will not cause confusion
• There are two ways to acquire a second language simultaneously when a person is exposed to two or more languages since birth, and sequentially when a person starts learning a new language after they have established some competence in their native tongue
• Language competence is different for each bilingual person

Show Notes:

• Episode 87 - What Does it Take to Acquire a Language and Why All Teachers Should Know This

Resources Mentioned:

• The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. 
• Simply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers Store
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session 
• Essential Lesson Plan Bundle

Related/Previous Episodes:

• Episode 80 - Empowering English learners - an Asset Based Approach
• Episode 86 - 3 Essential Truths to Reaching ELs in Your Classroom

Connect with Ieva:

• Instagram - @simplyievaesl
• Website - www.simplyieva.com
• Join the  - Simply Ieva Facebook Group 

Support the show

Last week, I was talking to my colleague who was so overwhelmed by all the questions and comments coming from the regular education teachers and frankly, the unwillingness of some to pause and take the situation in for what it was. We chatted a bit and calmed down, but a part of me was still dissatisfied. Sometimes, EL teachers are spread so thin or work in isolation that all of our knowledge is impossible to share in an effective way with those who could really benefit from it. So I wanted to record a short episode that addresses the frustrations of teachers who have ELs in their general education classroom, answer some of the questions, and share the essential truths. Whether this is your first time having an English learner in your content classroom or you're more experienced, in this episode, I will share 3 essential truths that are valid anytime an English learner joins your classroom community. These truths are simple yet very powerful and will serve as your signpost whenever you feel unsure. I hope you find this episode useful.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• Frustrations and Questions About EL Students in Regular Education Classrooms
• Connection over curriculum comes first
• Knowing the proficiency level of EL students
• Ensuring assessments are appropriate for EL students

Show Notes:

• Episode 86  - Here Are Your 3 Essential Truths to Reaching ELs in General Education Classroom

Resources Mentioned:

• The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. 
• Simply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers Store
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session 
• Essential Lesson Plan Bundle

Related Episodes:

• Episode 80 - Empowering English learners - an Asset Based Approach
• Episode 64 - How to pre-teach vocabulary in the regular education classroom

Connect with Ieva:

• Instagram - @simplyievaesl
• Website - www.simplyieva.com
• Join the  - Simply Ieva Facebook Group 

Support the show

A while back, I recorded an episode about how I structured my middle school class, and since I work at 2 schools, middle and high school, I wanted to offer you a little glimpse into how I structure my high school classes. I have more students at the high school this year and more classes, so there's plenty of room for creativity. 

Lesson planning and vocabulary instruction is something that is always on top of every EL teacher's mind, and my goal for this episode is to share with you my teaching setup and how I work with students in grades 9 through 12. 

What you will hear about in this episode:

• Structure of EL Classes at the High School
• Background Building as an EL Teacher
• Proficiency Levels and Student Needs
• Vocabulary Instruction Strategies
• The break down of some lessons on how I incorporate teaching English through content area and subjects

Show Notes:

• Episode 85 - EL Class Structure and Vocabulary Instruction: A Peek Into My Classroom

Resources Mentioned:

• The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. 
• Simply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers Store
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session 
• Essential Lesson Plan Bundle

Related/Previous Episodes:

• Episode 17 - A Peek Into My Middle School EL Classroom
• Episode 80 - Empowering English learners - an Asset Based Approach
• Episode 64 - How to pre-teach vocabulary in the regular education classroom

Connect with Ieva:

• Instagram - @simplyievaesl
• Website - www.simplyieva.com
• Join the  - Simply Ieva Facebook Group 

Support the show

Teaching multilingual learners requires great knowledge of language acquisition theory, teaching strategies, and methodologies. At the same time, it requires empathy, cultural awareness and openness. And that said, multilingual learners are not only students of EL teachers. They are all of our students. Every teacher is a language teacher. 

Sometimes when we talk to our colleagues, we might hear a phrase, but I'm not a language teacher. I teach math, science, social studies, you name it, not English. Well, this episode is for all of you who have ever heard this phrase and all of you who have ever uttered it. 

Today, I will break down why every teacher is, in fact, a language teacher, and what knowledge you already have that you can harness to reach students who are learning both English and your subject.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• Importance of knowledge of language acquisition theory, teaching strategies, and methodologies
• Recognition that language is embedded in every subject area
• Overcoming discomfort as a language teacher
• Academic language and its acquisition
• Supporting students in subject area language acquisition
• Tips for teachers to get started in supporting subject area language acquisition

Show Notes:

• Episode 84 - Every Teacher is a Language Teacher: Here is Why!

Resources Mentioned:

• The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. 
• Simply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers Store
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session 
• Essential Lesson Plan Bundle

Related/Previous Episodes:

• Episode 80 - Empowering English learners - an Asset Based Approach
• Episode 72 - Four easy ways to differentiate the same lesson

Connect with Ieva:

• Instagram - @simplyievaesl
• Website - www.simplyieva.com
• Join the  - Simply Ieva Facebook Group 

Support the show