English Language Development Articles and Resources for Teachers

Learn to support multilingual learners in English language development (ELD) with the following standards, strategies, and activities.

ESL (English as a second language) is English instruction for non-English speakers who are living in an English-speaking environment. Learn more about the purpose and importance of ESL in schools.

Understand what is MLL in education, how it compares to ELL, and actionable steps leaders can take to foster environments that help multilingual learners succeed.

Although both the acronyms ESL (English as a second language) and ELL (English language learners) relate to English language learning, they are not synonymous. Read to learn about the differences between the terms ELL and ESL.

Explore why is it important to understand the difference between multilingual learners (MLL or ML) vs. English language learner (ELL) and how educators can appropriately support each group in the classroom.

Explore the 6 levels of English language proficiency for ELL students to support your multilingual learners.

Help prepare ELL students with support resources that benefit your multilingual learners.

Learn about instructional strategies for ELL students that support multilingual learners in developing stronger language skills and self‑confidence.

Address the varying of needs of ELL students in elementary grades and support them on their pathway to English language proficiency with these instructional strategies and resources.

What is scaffolding and how does it help ELL students? Read to learn about scaffolding for ELL students, including benefits and best practices.

Try these strategies to engage long-term English learners (LTELs) and provide the support students need in the classroom.

Learn how to use sentence frames for ELL students to support written and oral language development.

Learn about explicit and targeted English language development instruction and find strategies for ELD instruction.

Find strategies and best practices on how to build background knowledge for ELLs.

What is translanguaging? Learn the definition of translanguaging and strategies for translanguaging in the multilingual classroom.

Learn about translanguaging and code-switching and how they relate in addressing the needs of multilingual learners.

Find instructional strategies to teach vocabulary to English language learners.

Try these 7 ELL strategies for reading success. Help your ELL students to engage with reading and foster a desire to connect with texts.

Support your ELL students with writing strategies to build confident and capable writers.

These ELL strategies for math instruction will help you with teaching math to English language learners and supporting math learning for multilingual students.

Explore the different types of assessments to monitor ELL students’ growth and progress and learn how to best use these assessments in your classroom.

Dr. Ivannia Soto specializes in second-language acquisition and systemic reform for English language learners. Here we share the accommodations for English language learners in the classroom that she says work best.

Find out the answer to the question, “What is the role of assistive technology for ELL students in the classroom?” Plus, discover helpful tips and activity ideas for using technology in your classroom.

Dually identified learners are English language learners who also qualify for special education services. Learn proven strategies and resources to accurately identify and support these students in your classroom.

Discover English 3D’s impact on multilingual students in the Community Consolidated School District 15 in Chicago, Illinois.

Texas dual language kindergarten teacher Blanca Hernandez shares how she builds a bilingual classroom culture that fosters a growth mindset in English and Spanish.

2024 National Teacher of the Year Missy Testerman joins us and offers words of inspiration and practical advice to nurture the joy in teaching. Plus, she shares tips on teacher mentoring, getting ready for the back-to-school season, and supporting multilingual learners.