Closing the Achievement Gap: How to Reach Limited-Formal-Schooling and Long-Term English Learners

by Yvonne S. Freeman, David E. Freeman, Sandra P. Mercuri

Struggling older English learners pose a real challenge for educators. Some of these students are new arrivals with limited or interrupted schooling. Others have been in and out of ESL and bilingual programs in this country since kindergarten, but have never succeeded academically. How can teachers help older students who lack academic content knowledge and English language proficiency catch up with their classmates? Yvonne and David Freeman provide four research-based keys for closing the achievement gap. three teachers have put this theory into practice to reach their older English learners. These teachers organize curriculum around themes, use predictable classroom routines, and scaffold instruction in a variety of ways. The clear examples from their classes will help other teachers implement effective practices for their older English learners. Closing the Achievement Gap

Genres: Education, Teaching

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reference for the ESL Teacher. Explains a lot of things about long term language learners that most of us do not understand. Because few people understand the challenges of a long term language learner vs a new immigrant, many teachers stop helping the kids who they think know English and they slip through the cracks.

Every teacher who has immigrants in their classroom should read this book even if they do not teach ESL.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent reminder of best practices for teaching ELLs. I got a ton of great ideas for implementing relevant theme-based lessons. This is the only book I've ever seen that focuses on older LFS kids.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many issues that need to be considered.