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From http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2014/11/04/ctq_minkel_esl.html

Unlocking Language for English-Learners
by Justin Minkel
November 4, 2014

Eighty-five percent of the students at my school speak English as a second language. Many of these children come to us in kindergarten without knowing the English words for “pencil” or “butter.” But by the time they leave us in 5th grade, they’re talking confidently about cytoplasm, the associative property of multiplication, and key features of informational texts.

What’s the secret to this dramatic growth? It comes down to a few simple factors:

 Explicit language instruction in structures of English that are invisible to native speakers.
 High expectations paired with individualized instruction.
 A school where every teacher is trained in ESL techniques, in a district where everyone from the custodians to the superintendent respects the family, nation, and culture that each child comes from.

Read the full article at www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2014/11/04/ctq_minkel_esl.html