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Upon Arrival: First-Day Essentials

Teachers should be as prepared as they can for the arrival of an ELL student. It is important to have a checklist readily available that outlines what you need to prepare and do upon the new student's arrival. "English Language Learner" is a term that can mean a variety of things. The ELL student could be a newly arrived immigrant to Canada with possible formal schooling experience in their home country. The ELL student may also be a newly arrived refugee with no prior schooling experience. Alternatively, the new ELL student could be transferring schools from the town over and have experience within British Columbia's public school system. However, it is better to be more prepared than less prepared. I have composed a list (see here) of the essential things teachers should prepare as soon as they know an ELL student will be transferring to their class, as well as what they should do with that student on their first day to help transition.  

 

Upon the arrival of an ELL student, it is vital that teachers conduct in-take assessments to get to know that student's strengths and needs. In the meantime, the student will need to be occupied with meaningful activities. There are a variety of activities ELL students can do in their first days. Some will be intended to keep the student occupied during content lesson instruction, and others will be intended to help the ELL student socialize with their peers and become acquainted.   I have created a list (see here) that gives several examples of possible first day activities. 

 

Below is further information of what needs to occur in the first day upon the arrival of an ELL student. 

School Tour

Conducted by the classroom teacher, school counsellor, principal, or a classroom buddy, the ELL student should recieve a full school tour. This is needed in addition to a school map because it is spatial and makes the concept of the map more concrete. Students will need to be shown all the key areas of the school that are relevant to them. 

Information Booklet for Student

On their first day of school, the new ELL student should be provided with a booklet. The booklet should include: 

  • a photo of the ELL student with name and school

  • a map of the school with flagged areas (e.g. student's classroom, office)

  • Photos and names of key school personnel involved with the student (e.g. classroom teacher, ELL teacher, principal, etc.)

  • Daily schedule (e.g. start bell, recess, lunch, end bell times) 

  • Plan for how student is supposed to get home (e.g. map with walking/biking route, bus # and time, etc.)

  • Basic phrases they need to know 

  • Locker location/number and combination code

Basic Information for Parents

Parents should be provided with a form that outlines the basic information of the school (e.g. school information, lunch options, and schedule). (Law & Eckes, 2010). Since it is likely the parents will also have limited experience with English, it is important that information on the form be clear and use basic vocabulary (e.g. avoid synonyms). 

First-Day Teaching

On the first day, you want to: 

  • Introduce the ELL student to the class 

  • Have yourself, your students, and your new ELL student wear name tags

  • Give the ELL student his or her own space (e.g. desk and locker)

  • Give the student a task (e.g. arts and crafts; magazines to look through) 

  • Allow the student time to be the class observer but also offer to include the ELL student in class activities

  • Establish a routine (e.g. make instructions explicit and use clear transition indicators)

  • Allow the student to use his/her native language

Created by  Brettney Howard 2015 ©  

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