The development of a module to prepare preservice mainstream teachers to work with English language learners (ELLs)

Abstract

A lack of preservice teacher preparation is beginning to affect mainstream teachers when they begin to work with English Language Learners (ELLs) in their classrooms. This curriculum project addressed the lack of preparation preservice teachers (PST) receive to work with ELLs in mainstream classrooms and information teachers will need to service ELLs. There are many ways to help fix this problem; all of which will leave preservice teachers prepared to work with diverse classrooms, giving all students an equitable education. Research has shown that if PST are better prepared, and are part of better education programs they will feel more confident and better prepared to teach ELLs. This module teaches PST teachers about who ELLs are, New York state laws, programs NYS schools offer, instructional models teachers can use in their classes, how to foster relationships with parents of ELLs, how to assess ELLs, help with the NYS certification exam, educating all students, and how to be a culturally relevant teacher. This module provides PST with general information they need about ELLs and best practices to use with ELLs in different realms of education. [from abstract]