Collaboration and Coteaching: The Gateway to Successful Instruction for ELLs

Abstract

This capstone examines the benefits of coteaching between TESOL and mainstream teachers collaborating and coteaching to improve instruction for ELLs. This topic derived from observations and interviews of TESOL teacher when being asked the question: How can organizing and co-designing instruction between TESOL and mainstream teachers improve co-teaching outcomes? This capstone will be guided through a socio-cultural theoretical lens. Research illustrates three thematic challenges ELLs face is isolation from the mainstream classroom, misconstrued perceptions and the school culture resisting to take responsibility and embrace the presence of ELLs. Furthermore, this capstone includes a Professional Development designed to explain the challenges educators face when collaborating and coteaching as well as tools that mitigate the issue. Future studies in this topic include the need for continuous data consumption and creative strategies and models of effective coteaching for the ELL population in mainstream classrooms.