Stages of Second Language Acquisition
Stage I: Pre-production
This is the silent period. English language learners may have up to 500 words in their receptive vocabulary but they are not yet speaking. Some students will, however, repeat every thing you say. They are not really producing language but are parroting.
These new learners of English will listen attentively and they may even be able to copy words from the board. They will be able to respond to pictures and other visuals. They can understand and duplicate gestures and movements to show comprehension. Total Physical Response methods will work well with them. Teachers should focus attention on listening comprehension activities and on building a receptive vocabulary.
English language learners at this stage will need much repetition of English. They will benefit from a “buddy” who speaks their language. Remember that the school day is exhausting for these newcomers as they are overwhelmed with listening to English language all day long.
Stage II: Early production
This stage may last up to six months and students will develop a receptive and active vocabulary of about 1000 words. During this stage, students can usually speak in one- or two-word phrases. They can use short language chunks that have been memorized although these chunks may not always be used correctly.
Here are some suggestions for working with students in this stage of English language learning:
Ask yes/no and either/or questions.
Accept one or two word responses.
Give students the opportunity to participate in some of the whole class activities.
Use pictures and realia to support questions.
Modify content information to the language level of ELLs.
Build vocabulary using pictures.
Provide listening activities.
Simplify the content materials to be used. Focus on key vocabulary and concepts.
When teaching elementary age ELLs, use simple books with predictable text.
Support learning with graphic organizers, charts and graphs. Begin to foster writing in English through labeling and short sentences. Use a frame to scaffold writing.
This is the silent period. English language learners may have up to 500 words in their receptive vocabulary but they are not yet speaking. Some students will, however, repeat every thing you say. They are not really producing language but are parroting.
These new learners of English will listen attentively and they may even be able to copy words from the board. They will be able to respond to pictures and other visuals. They can understand and duplicate gestures and movements to show comprehension. Total Physical Response methods will work well with them. Teachers should focus attention on listening comprehension activities and on building a receptive vocabulary.
English language learners at this stage will need much repetition of English. They will benefit from a “buddy” who speaks their language. Remember that the school day is exhausting for these newcomers as they are overwhelmed with listening to English language all day long.
Stage II: Early production
This stage may last up to six months and students will develop a receptive and active vocabulary of about 1000 words. During this stage, students can usually speak in one- or two-word phrases. They can use short language chunks that have been memorized although these chunks may not always be used correctly.
Here are some suggestions for working with students in this stage of English language learning:
Ask yes/no and either/or questions.
Accept one or two word responses.
Give students the opportunity to participate in some of the whole class activities.
Use pictures and realia to support questions.
Modify content information to the language level of ELLs.
Build vocabulary using pictures.
Provide listening activities.
Simplify the content materials to be used. Focus on key vocabulary and concepts.
When teaching elementary age ELLs, use simple books with predictable text.
Support learning with graphic organizers, charts and graphs. Begin to foster writing in English through labeling and short sentences. Use a frame to scaffold writing.
Share:
Corrections
No corrections have been written yet. Please write a correction!
Write a correction
Please enter between 25 and 8000 characters.
0 comments
Please enter between 0 and 2000 characters.