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  2. Teaching ELLs ›
  3. ELL Strategies & Best Practices ›
  4. Classroom Strategies and Tools

Classroom Strategies and Tools

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There are a number of ways to support, or scaffold, instruction for English language learners, even if they are at beginning levels of English proficiency.  These ideas from veteran educators can help make content more accessible and provide students with an opportunity to participate in all classroom activities. 

For more great strategies, see our popular Bright Ideas section.

Featured Articles

  • Fifteen Things Teachers Can Do to Support ELL Success in the New Year
  • Using Graphic Organizers with ELLs
  • Visual Thinking Strategies for Improved Comprehension
  • Differentiated Instruction for English Language Learners

Related Video

ESOL Specialist Sheila Majdi: Using sentence frames with ELLs

ESOL Specialist Sheila Majdi: Using sentence frames with ELLs

Classroom Strategies for Newcomer ELLs in Middle School

Classroom Strategies for Newcomer ELLs in Middle School

Building upon student strengths: The "Can Do" Approach

Building upon student strengths: The "Can Do" Approach

Classroom Strategies for 4th-Grade Language Arts

Classroom Strategies for 4th-Grade Language Arts

Comparing two texts with Venn diagrams

Comparing two texts with Venn diagrams
PrevNext

Research and Reports

  • Teaching English Language Learners: What the Research Does — and Does Not — Say
  • Creating Schools that Support Success for English Language Learners
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Related Resource

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Lesson Planning for ELLs

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Language Objectives: The Key to Effective Content Area Instruction for English Learners

ELL News

  • Why Group Work Could Be the Key to English Learner SuccessKQED| February 28, 2017
See more headlines ›
Tweets by @ColorinColorado

Colorín Colorado is a national multimedia project that offers a wealth of bilingual, research-based information, activities, and advice for educators and families of English language learners (ELLs). Colorín Colorado is an educational service of WETA, the flagship public broadcasting station in the nation's capital, and receives major funding from our founding partner, the AFT, and the National Education Association. © Copyright 2023 WETA Public Broadcasting.

Artwork by Caldecott Award-winning illustrator David Diaz and Pura Belpr­é Award-winning illustrator Rafael López is used with permission. Homepage illustrations ©2009 by Rafael López originally appeared in "Book Fiesta" by Pat Mora and used with permission from HarperCollins.

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  • ELL Basics
    • New to Teaching ELLs?
    • ELL Glossary
    • Special Populations
    • Resources by Grade
    • ELL Resources by State
    • ELL Policy & Research
    • ELL News Headlines
    • Serving and Supporting Immigrant Students
    • Special Education and ELLs
  • School Support
    • Social and Emotional Support for ELLs
    • ELL School Enrollment
    • Bilingual & Dual-Language Education: Overview
    • College Readiness for ELLs
    • ELL Program Planning
    • Events During the School Year
    • Assessment
    • Programs for Success
    • Special Education and ELLs
    • School Libraries
    • ELL Family Outreach
    • For Administrators
    • For Paraprofessionals
    • COVID-19 & ELLs
  • Teaching ELLs
    • New to Teaching ELLs?
    • Supporting Newcomer Students: Resource Gallery
    • Creating a Welcoming Classroom
    • ELL Classroom Strategy Library
    • ELL Strategies & Best Practices
    • Language & Vocabulary Instruction
    • Literacy Instruction
    • Content Instruction for ELLs
    • Common Core
    • Special Education and ELLs
    • Technology & ELLs
    • The Role of ESL Teachers
    • Special Populations
    • Navigating Tough Topics in the Classroom: Tips for ELL Educators
  • For Families
    • Help Your Child Learn to Read
    • Learning Together at Home
    • The Preschool Years
    • Schools and Families: An Important Partnership
    • School Success
    • Raising Bilingual Kids
    • Technology at Home
    • Resources for Parents of Teens
    • Visiting the Public Library
    • When Your Children Need Extra Help
  • Books & Authors
    • Colorín Colorado Book Finder
    • Books for Young Children
    • Books for Kids
    • Books for Young Adults
    • Books for Professionals
    • Diverse Books: Resource Guide
    • Pura Belpré: Her Life and Legacy
    • Literacy Calendar
    • Meet the Authors
  • Videos
    • Classroom Videos
    • Advice for New Teachers of ELLs
    • Webcasts
    • Meet the Authors
    • Meet the Experts
    • Meet the Administrator
    • Facebook Live Series
    • PBS Show: Becoming Bilingual
    • Being Bilingual Is a Superpower!
    • Family Literacy: Multilingual Video Series
    • Supporting ELLs During COVID-19: Educator Voices
  • Audience
    • Teachers
    • Administrators
    • Paraprofessionals
    • Librarians
    • Parents & Families
  • Resource Library
    • ELL Classroom Strategy Library
    • ELL Resource Collections
    • Guides & Toolkits
    • Multilingual Tips for Families
    • Reading Tips for Parents (Multilingual)
    • Reading Tips for Educators
    • Topics A to Z
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Research & Reports
    • Web Resources
    • ELL Resources by State
    • Colorín Colorado Blog
    • Natural Disaster Resources for Schools
    • Responding to a Crisis
  • News Headlines
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