Oral Language Development

Speaking and Listening activities may be challenging for English Learners (ELs) but they form the basis of language processing. Oral language is a key part of CCSS as students are expected to engage in collaborative discussions (asking questions and presenting ideas) to further learning.
Here are a few LISTENING activities to try within your instruction:

• Active listening roles (“every time you hear _____”  or “listen for ______”)
• Videos and podcasts (active roles: fill out graphic organizers, fill-in-the-blank notes or comprehension questions)
• Following lyrics (flocabulary or songs with directions)
• Go to side of room based on statement
• Drawing/classifying based on oral descriptions
• Bingo!!
  
  

Try out the following SPEAKING activities in your lessons:

• Specific sentence starters posted (“I think ______ and______ go together because ______”)
• General sentence starters/talk moves posted (I agree with _____ because _____”)
• Pair-Share
• Triads (unique roles such as Interviewer, Summarizer, Presenter)
• Collaborative posters and worksheets where oral ideas are written down (and then shared with whole group)