How to Differentiate for English Language Learners To Be Effective

Do you wonder how to differentiate for English Language Learners in a bustling classroom? If so, you are not alone.  

With the influx of ELL students in many classrooms around the globe, more teachers are now faced with the challenge of how to differentiate for English language learners. 

Differentiating instruction for English Language Learners (ELL) parallels the differentiation strategies used for native language learners, yet it incorporates additional layers to accommodate language acquisition needs. 

How to differentiate for English language learners effectively tailors teaching practices to meet the diverse needs of all students, recognizing that both ELL and native language learners benefit from varied instructional methods, visual aids, and structured support. 

This blog will identify key strategies, such as using different instructional techniques, incorporating visual aids, integrating scaffolding and modeling and more. These strategies, and more, are crucial when considering how to differentiate for English language learners and enhancing overall classroom learning dynamics.

What Are Some Examples of Differentiated Instructions?

Differentiation has the 4 core principles of: Content, Process, Product, and Learning Environment. Incorporating those principles into planning and instruction are a benefit to all of your students.

Variety of Instructional Strategies:

Implementing a mix of instructional strategies, such as direct instruction, cooperative learning, and project-based learning, is important. When deciding how to differentiate for English language learners to cater to different learning preferences variety is key.

Visual Aids and Graphic Organizers:

Use visuals and graphic organizers to help ELL students organize their thoughts, understand complex information, and retain new vocabulary. These tools are integral when figuring out how to differentiate for English language learners.

Scaffolding and Modeling Techniques:

Provide structured support (scaffolding) and demonstrate tasks (modeling) to gradually help students become independent learners. 

Scaffolding to Differentiate for ELL students

1. Break down tasks into smaller steps with detailed instructions and timelines.
2. Visual aids: diagrams, charts, graphic organizers, images, videos and real-life objects.
3. Provide Sentence Frames and Starters: offer partially completed sentences, or allow students to draw and label their own story. Then provide a sentence that they can fill in the blank for.
4. Apply gradual release of responsibility: move from teacher-led to collaborative to independent practice, similar to the approach of “I do, we do, we do, you do.” 
5. Check in regularly – monitor progress and provide feedback.

Modeling to Differentiate for ELL Students

• Think-alouds: as you solve a problem, share your thought process aloud.
• Step-by-step demonstrations: Show students each step they need to complete.  With my students, for example, after I taught an art project I would often create each step of an art project (ie. draw the outline, then a new page, paint the outline, then a new page …) and post that on the board for them to follow. 
• Show examples of high-quality work. Discuss these examples with your students. Especially easy in art, but also in math with neat columns, or in writing with neat printing or good punctuation etc..
• Interactive Modeling: Ask students to predict the next step in the process you are teaching.
• Role-Playing: act out scenarios or engaging in role-playing activities. We always practiced in sets of three:
  
  • What does appropriate behavior look like?
    
  • What does inappropriate behavior look like?
    
  • What does the good choice look like one more time?
    

The integration of scaffolding and modeling creates a supportive learning environment that helps students gain skills and confidence. Knowing how to differentiate for English language learners is key to building this support.

How Do English Language Learners Learn Best?

Getting started with differentiation, or differentiation for ELL students doesn’t have to be overwhelming.  Small steps can make big differences. Let’s take the strategies above and look at how to apply them.

Active Learning Strategies:

Hands-on activities, experiments, and real-world problem-solving opportunities to make learning more dynamic and engaging.

For example:

• I planned active games like a Salmon Migration Obstacle Course or the Food Web Game  to get the students up and moving and really understanding salmon in their environment. 
• Even simpler activities like spelling on the pavement with sidewalk chalk can make learning more accessible for all of your students, and support differentiation for your ELL students.

Collaborative Learning Opportunities:

Teamwork and cooperative learning opportunities help students to learn from each other and everyone’s language skills develop naturally  in this social context. 

Consistent weekly interactive activities in my class included:

• Math games 2-3 times per week
• Peer editing in writing regularly available –  even if your ELL students are just sharing a labeled picture for their writing assignment. 
• Buddy reading – (ELLs could “read” by describing what they saw in the book to their peer)
• Daily outdoor walks for exercise, conversation and social interaction.

Collaborative and hands-on learning also came through Science, Social Studies, Social-Emotional Instruction and Bible. 

Role of Classroom Community in Language Learning:

A strong sense of community allows  students to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from one another.  

In my classroom, this looked like:

• Opportunities for discussion throughout lessons
• Free time choices like a large library for buddy reading, STEM kits for building, and colouring pages for quiet interaction.  

Building this sense of community is a central to how to differentiate for English language learners.

Include Multiple Means of Engagement 

Use of Technology and Multimedia:

Digital tools and multimedia resources add variety and interactive ways for students to connect with content. 

As a primary teacher I did not have students use a ton of technology independently, but there were a few exceptions for reading and math. The programs I did use had great visual demonstrations that supported student understanding which was great for all the students including the ELL students. 

These resources also tracked their success, so they had lots of opportunities to practice and to understand. 

1. Incorporate Interests and Strengths of Students:

Get to know your ELL students, and incorporate their interests and strengths into activities and projects to keep them motivated and invested in their learning.

Classroom Expectations and Organization for ELL Students 

Consistent expectation, routines and procedures will provide a calm, stable environment in which your ELL students can thrive. The ability to independently enact a routine will build confidence in all of your students.

Establishing Clear and Achievable Goals:

With clear and attainable objectives for lessons, students are provided with direction and motivation to achieve their best. Differentiated instruction for ELL students ensures these goals are tailored to meet their unique needs and backgrounds.

We role-played each classroom expectation to support everyone.  With the modeling of good choice, poor choice, and good choice I mentioned earlier, you are differentiating this instruction for ELL students.  They will get a strong sense of what will be tolerated.

Building a Classroom Community for ELL Students

Create an inclusive environment to support differentiated instruction for ELL students by providing a safe learning environment. An inclusive classroom climate that respects and values diversity encourages all students to feel they belong and acknowledges everyone’s worth.

Building classroom community supports that inclusive environment. Differentiated instruction for ELL students also plays a crucial role in building such an environment. 

Positive Reinforcement in ELL Instruction:

Give specific constructive feedback, such as would be typical during a writing conference or small group, to guide students in their learning journey and encourage continuous improvement.

Providing personalized feedback to address their unique challenges and strengths is important for ELL students.

How to Differentiate for English Language Learners

Differentiating for English Language Learners is not about creating an entirely separate plan—it’s about:

• Layering support
• Offering choices
• Making learning accessible for every student in your classroom. 

Blend strategies like:

• Scaffolding
• Modeling
• Visual supports
• Collaborative learning

Prioritize classroom management areas:

• Classroom expectations
• Classroom organization – especially routines and procedures
• Establish clear and achievable goals
• Build your classroom community to create a safe, inclusive learning environment.
• Let them know when they are doing will with positive reinforcement

You are not only helping ELL students acquire language more effectively, but also building a richer, more inclusive classroom community where all learners thrive.

The goal is progress, not perfection. Small adjustments can make a big difference in helping your students feel seen, supported, and successful. 

Try one or two of these strategies, reflect on what works,and gradually build your toolbox. Over time, you’ll find that differentiating for English Language Learners becomes a natural, rewarding part of your teaching practice. In no time you will know how to differentiate for English Language Learners.

So, what about you? Which strategies do you already use, and which new ones are you excited to try next?