Creating a welcoming environment for your classroom’s English language learners (ELLs) is critical to teaching ELLs. In this section, I will list some essential things teachers can do to make ELLs feel welcome and appreciated in their classrooms. The first step is to richly decorate the classroom with elements from the ELLs’ culture. Teachers can show appreciation for ELLs’ culture by displaying images of country flags and other cultural artifacts. Play music from ELLs’ countries of origin in the classroom whenever appropriate, like during art or craft projects. Encourage ELLs to share their culture’s traditional food dishes with the class during holiday celebrations. The critical thing to remember is that ELLs need to feel their culture is valued.
Classroom Displays
The classroom environment is greatly enhanced for English language learners when teachers display their cultural items openly for them and their classmates. This cultural exhibit demonstrates that the teacher and the larger school community respect and appreciates the students’ traditions and culture. This display can take the form of country flags, pictures of iconic features of their countries, and language translations.
Home Language Displays
A fun and easy way to create a welcoming environment in the classroom is through displays of ELLs’ home languages. On the first day of school, the students help me write a welcome sign with all the languages represented in the classroom. Then, I post the welcome sign on my classroom door for all the newcomers who arrive throughout the year. I add new languages to the sign if students with new languages come to my classroom. I use this same process to post classroom rules and expectations in the front of the classroom. These class projects are great strategies to show the students they are part of the classroom and an exemplary process for ELLs to learn and understand the classroom rules.
Maps and Home Country Flags
Prominently revealing maps in the classroom allow teachers to lead discussions about the ELLs’ countries of origin for the students and provide ELLs the opportunity to describe their home countries’ geographical location and physical attributes for the other students. Many students may not be familiar with these facts and have many questions. This experience provides the ELLs an opening to meet and become friends with their classmates. Teachers should also be sure to exhibit ELLs’home country flags in the classroom as well as the United States flag. Displaying the flag and encouraging discussions about the design and comparisons between flags are great conversation starters, as well as occasions to discuss the history of the English language learners’ home country.
YouTube video about ELL Flags:
Origin Country Food and Music
Nothing excites English language learners as much as demonstrating their home country’s food and music. Teachers should look for an occasion to encourage their ELLs to bring traditional food from their home country to the classroom to share with the class. For example, before the winter break, the teacher should bring traditional holiday food from their home and encourage all the students, including the ELLs, to bring traditional food from home if possible. This food sharing is an excellent way for ELLs to get to know their classmates and share their culture with the school. Teachers should allow students to play music from their home countries to enhance this occasion.
Picture of ELL student’s Palestinian Maqluba Dish:
Music
Remember how important modern music was to your life as a young student? This affection for music has spanned generations of youngsters. English language learners are usually very excited to share the music of their country with their teachers and classmates. They often have favorite musical artists they follow fanatically and will appreciate their new classmates’ exposure to their favorite music. Teachers should use music to build a welcoming environment for the ELL students in their classrooms. As stated earlier, teachers can play ELLs’ music during group craft projects, but they can also use music to encourage ELLs to make presentations to practice their speaking. As they explain their favorite artists to their classmates, they will also likely build friendships and feel they are classroom and school, community members.
