Which instructional strategy is effective for teaching English Language Learners (ELL)?

Scaffolding instruction with visual aids and hands-on activities is particularly effective for teaching English Language Learners (ELL) because it provides multiple forms of support to help students understand and engage with new content. Visual aids, such as pictures, diagrams, and charts, can bridge the language gap by offering concrete representations of abstract concepts, allowing ELL students to make connections and improve comprehension. Hands-on activities engage students in active learning, which can enhance their language acquisition as they practice using new vocabulary and structures in meaningful contexts.

Moreover, scaffolding allows teachers to gradually increase the difficulty of the tasks as students become more proficient, ensuring that learners are neither overwhelmed nor under-challenged. This approach supports not only language development but also cognitive growth, as learners are encouraged to think critically and collaborate with their peers. The combination of visual and tactile experiences is essential for ELLs, who may benefit from diverse methods of instruction as they navigate both language acquisition and subject matter learning.