Comprehensible Input

Here’s today’s tip for helping the ELLs in your class:

This may sound obvious, but it bears repeating – make sure your students understand you.

· Face the students (not the board) when talking to them. 

· Speak slowly and clearly. 

· Don’t use slang or idioms. (What will an English Language Learner think when his teacher says, “I’m all tore up today.”?)

· Use visuals that reinforce spoken or written words.

· Employ gestures for added emphasis

· Exaggerate intonations at times.

All of this is based in research on Comprehensible Input by Steven Krashen.