ESOL Approaches to
Learning: Strategies and
Methodolgies
Herrera, S., & Murry, K. (2016).
Mastering ESL and bilingual
methods: Differentiated for
culturally and linguistically diverse
(CLD) Students (3rd ed.). Boston:
Allyn & Bacon.
Cognitive Approach
Belief that language is learned through
developmental levels that build on prior
knowledge and experiences
CALLA Method
A cognitive approach that uses
metacognitive and task based
strategies to help the learner take
charge of their instruction.
Metacognitive Strategies
are broad based and help
the learner:
Plan and organize tasks
Monitor and identify
problems
Evaluate learning tasks to
find the most effective
Manage own learning
Task Based Strategies target specific
individual tasks that help the learner:
Access Prior Knowledge
Use the images, sounds and movement
Organize information
Use a variety of resources
Communicative Approach
Belief that learning a language comes
from real use of the language
Annotations:
Language is best learned when speaking, reading, and listening skills are practiced together using real word activities and situations.
Grammatical Approach
Teacher centered activities focusing on L2 acquistion
Drill and repeat method
Sheltered Instruction Methodod
Belief that meaningful instruction and language acquisition
happens during planned lessons in the content areas of social
studies, math, science
Annotations:
Some Key Strategies are:
Increase wait time
Simplify teacher language
Demonstrate/model tasks
Clarify key concepts
Use visuals and manipulatives
Plan hands on sensory activities Pair or group students with native speakers
Encourage translanguaging oppurtunities
Belief that students perform better when acquisition of
language and content happens at the same time.
Annotations:
All language domains are targeted:
listening
speaking
reading
writing
Classroom environment, activities and lesson topics are
based around a central theme.
Chamot, A. U (2009). The CALLA
handbook: Implementing the
cognitive academic language
learning approach, (2nd ed.).
White Plains, NY: Pearson
Education, Inc.
CALLA Method
Inquiry Approach
Students take charge of learning through
authentic real world projects
Annotations:
five steps: project proposal, research and learning, creating or doing, reflecting, and sharing
Balanced Reading Approach
Everyone learns to read differently
Annotations:
Multiple types of texts and reading experiences are provided for students in both L1 and L2.