Teaching Middle School ESL Effectively

Teaching middle school ESL effectively requires an understanding of both the unique mindset and challenges of the middle school student, as well as solid teaching techniques to address English as a second language learners. However, many resources exist online and in print to provide advice, information and support for middle school ESL teachers.

Unique Challenges

For teachers working with English language learners, the middle school designation may be particularly problematic. Frequently, school districts group students according to age or grade level without regard to their language proficiency. A middle school ESL classroom, for example, may contain children of similar age but with great diversity in English language fluency. Teachers encountering such a situation may find it useful to create lesson plans that encompass both a whole class and small group model.

The demand for excellent teachers has never been greater, especially for middle school ESL teachers. As more and more children enter school with limited English proficiency, they'll need the help of teachers who provide the resources they need to succeed.

Resources for Teaching Middle School ESL Effectively

To start learning how to teach middle school ESL effectively, begin by enhancing general middle school teaching skills. The National Middle School Association is an excellent place for teachers to begin researching effective middle school teaching practices. This organization boasts thousands of members, a magazine, and a yearly convention. Although not specifically devoted to ESL teaching practices, middle school teachers may find a supportive voice and shared wisdom among the thousands of teachers who are members.

Next, middle school ESL teachers may wish to peruse the many classroom and district websites with ESL materials posted for review. Many contain detailed yearly plans for the ESL programs in districts across the notion, as well as useful lesson plans, downloadable and printable worksheets, and much more. For example:

  • Teachers looking to other districts for ideas for their middle school ESL classrooms should look at the Framingham [PDF] curriculum and summer reading list. The book list provides age-appropriate suggested reading for ESL students, as well as teaching ideas that tie into each book.
  • Education World contains a wealth of resources for middle school ESL teachers. Visit the Lesson Plan Center for suggested plans, or review one of a dozen pages on the site with advice from experienced ESL teachers, handouts, reproducible worksheets, and more.
  • Lantern Fish provides ESL worksheets related to timely topics for middle and high school ESL students. Use alphabet worksheets, job role-plays, and more. Simply select activities that you feel are appropriate for your students.
  • One very interesting PowerPoint preview on middle school ESL may be found on Middle Tennessee State University site. As a professional development piece, the presentation reviews characteristics of middle school students, challenges that ESL students face, and ideas on how to meet these challenges head-on. Great tips include having a classroom prepared for students who speak no English whatsoever, a reminder of what middle school kids think about most, and ideas on how teachers can improve cultural sensitivity.
  • Using English includes a large repository of links to ESL information, including information for middle school teachers. Speaking and pronunciation drills, lesson plans, worksheets and more provide resources for teachers to use with their classes.
  • Tips for Teachers contains resources for teachers struggling to teach mixed-ability groups or large classes. The links lead to numerous other sites, but each resource provides useful articles and tips to teach middle school ESL effectively.
  • San Antonio Independent School District [PDF] provides a great PDF of ESL dictation practice for middle school ESL students.
  • The iPod creates interesting opportunities to engage students and support proper pronunciation techniques. One teacher shares her experience using iPods in middle school ESL classes on the Middle Tennessee State University [PDF] site. The PowerPoint presentation online provides many ideas for how to incorporate technology into the daily lessons to help ESL students.
  • Patcharin Peyasantiwong, from Hamilton Middle School, provides a useful article on The Six Trait Model and Middle School ESL Instruction [PDF] to provide new insight into methods to teach middle school ESL students.
  • Project More provides resources and tips for teaching ESL students. Many lessons plans and ideas, including some grouped around mathematics and science, provide supportive resources for middle school ESL teachers.

Additional Resources

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