Teaching English Language Learners in Mainstream Classes

Schools in Australia are diverse, both in the numbers of English language learners and the multiplicity of cultural and linguistic backgrounds from which the learners come. Many students, beyond the very beginning stages of learning English, will be in mainstream classes and may receive little support from specialist English language teachers. Teaching English Language Learners in Mainstream Classes demonstrates English language learning pedagogical practices that both engage and enhance academic English proficiency. Mainstream teachers, who may have minimal or no specialist English language teaching assistance or experience, will find the strategies and support within this book extremely useful and relevant. The early chapters of the book examine the more general and current ELL (ESL, EAL/D) theory. The later chapters examine specific theoretical principles as they relate to oracy, reading and writing, and are appropriate for students in the Developing and Consolidating phases of English language learning. Many of the examples in this book are illustrated with authentic and recent student work samples. The book provides help for the planning of an effective English language learning program for the diverse language needs of our English language learners.