Tag Archives: secondary school

Critiquing Your Critiques: What to Ask Yourself Before Giving Written Feedback

Nathan Hall
Nathan Hall

I often joke that the difference between an ESL specialist and an English teacher is like the difference between an engineer and an artist: The ESL specialist is concerned with the mechanics of language to solve problems, while the English … Continue reading

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What You Need to Include in an ELL Needs Assessment

Nathan Hall
Nathan Hall

Congratulations! You made it through another school year. Enjoy your summer, but unless you’re retiring (in which case, congratulations again) it will be time to prepare for the new school year before you know it. There will be some familiar … Continue reading

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Assimilated or Acculturated? Helping Students Navigate Two Worlds

Nathan Hall
Nathan Hall

I like to use current events in my ELL classes, but I hate seeing immigration in the news. This politically touchy subject comes up everywhere from the presidential candidate debates to my own state’s legislature, where politicians want to make … Continue reading

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Teaching English to Takers of AYP Tests

Nathan Hall
Nathan Hall

Ten years ago, U.S. teachers grumbled about “teaching to the test” as administrators told them, repeatedly, how important it was for the school to make annual yearly progress—the dreaded “AYP.” The worst part for us ELL/ESL specialists is that our … Continue reading

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Combining Content-Based Instruction With Career Goals in Secondary School

Nathan Hall
Nathan Hall

High school is the time when many young people start considering different careers. Those who are more interested in science take better notes of what happens in labs, while the aspiring artists and writers start searching for their voice. But … Continue reading

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