Over the past few years, many ESL teachers have seen ACCESS speaking scores plummet, and we are looking for ways to increase confidence and proficiency with oral discourse. The book, 7 steps to a Language-Rich Interactive Classroom, by John Seidlitz and Bill Perryman, has classroom activities that promote productive academic language. The first part of the book includes seven chapters with steps to complete; each helps create an interactive classroom.
1. Teach students what to say when they don’t know what to say.
2. Have students speak in complete sentences.
3. Randomize and rotate when calling on students.
4. Use total response signals.
5. Use visuals and vocabulary strategies that support your objectives.
6. Have students participate in structured conversations.
7. Have students participate in structured reading and writing activities.
The second part of the book includes 26 reading and writing activities that encourage interaction such as “T-chart, Pair, Defend”, “Vocabulary Art Show”, and “Expert/Novice”. After reviewing the WIDA Can-Do Descriptors this summer, I wanted to create a way to structure conversations about 2 different points of view or arguments on the same topic. While using the strategies outlined in the book for “T-chart, Pair, Defend”, students started reading articles on a topic of choice that included pros and cons, such as Scholastic News debates.
Students completed an introduction using a frame for a complex sentence and a modal verb.
For (pro): Since_______________, we should ____________. OR Against (con): Even though _____________, we should ______________.
Afterwards, students completed a cause/effect chart with 3 reasons based on the text and 3 effects. They received a list of additional frames to help structure their conversation. Some examples from the Academic Language Functions Toolkit include:
- In the text ___________, the author argues that ____.
- It is vital to consider ___________.
- Perhaps the most convincing reason for this is ________.
Click to access Academic-Language-Functions-toolkit.pdf
Finally, students prepared a conclusion before presenting their point of view to the group. For example, students completed the following sentence frame:
- All in all, the debate over ______________________ is important because _______________________.
We used the “T-chart, Pair, Defend” activity format to debate the information with a partner first before sharing with the class. 7 steps to a Language-Rich Interactive Classroom provides numerous additional ideas and strategies to help students feel comfortable talking and presenting information.
Resources:
Academic Language Function Toolkit: A Resource for Developing Academic Language for All Students in All Content Areas (2010, October) Retrieved November 23, 2019, from https://www.literacyhow.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Academic-Language-Functions-toolkit.pdfSeidlitz, J., & Perryman, B. (2011). 7 Steps to a Language-Rich Interactive Classroom: Research-based Strategies for Engaging All Students. Irving, TX: Seidlitz Education.
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