Teaching English Language Learners

Improved Essays
John Luster’s article Using state assessments for teaching English language learners focuses on the English Language Learners (ELLs) in higher grades such as middle school and high school. In this article Luster talks about how unprepared teachers are to teach those ELL students. Luster states “most studies of ELLs have found that many teachers are underprepared to design and adapt lessons and assignments to make academic content comprehensible to ELLs. Few teachers are prepared…to teach initial literacy or content area literacy to secondary ELLs. The result [being] schools have continued to create a permanent segregated under-class of students who speak a primary language other than English.” (Luster (2012) pp.2) Luster uses many different references to gather his data. Also as far as I can tell his information is accurate. Luster is able to make his point through the use of different examples and explanations and through the use of his resources.
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These students have a harder time advancing their language learning skills and many even end up not graduating high school because of the barrier. However, there are ways for teachers to help their students to advance in their education. The different learning models available, the different tests and the many resources available can help a teacher with guidelines and examples of how to help their ELL student. John Luster gave good examples. I agree with his work and explanations because the ELL students do have that barrier that keeps them from advancing as well as English speaking students. Also having different resource for a teacher can encourage a teacher understands how to help their ELL student. John luster in my opinion was able to make his point and used sufficient resources to back up his research and

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