Article Using the Arts to Support English Language Learners
Enhancing instruction with performing, visual and language arts can build skills, confidence, and understanding for English Language Learners.
The arts can support English Language Learners in multiple ways—academically, socially, emotionally and creatively. Here are 5 sources to get you ready to start fusing music, visual arts, and other art forms with language development:
Erin Wilkey Oh at offers three reasons to keep in your back pocket: Art is a universal language; the arts allow learners to express culture and learn new ones; and art experiments with identity—particularly on-target for tweens and teens.
showcases the arts-integrated approach high school teacher, Lindsay Young, takes to this critical reading strategy – we love the idea of “reading portraits like we would read a story.”
Beyond instructional strategies, it’s important for your language learners – all your learners!—to feel known, accepted, and welcomed. From supporting cultural practices and experiences to understanding (and allowing youth to express) the difficulties and complexities of school and home life, the arts can provide crucial social, emotional, and communication outlets for young people. –while not focused on the arts--can help frame your creation of a positive learning space for ELLs.
From Colorin Colorado, breaks down the ways language is processed and the role of phonemic awareness as learners navigate the complexities of rhythm and pattern in their language and reading development. Pair with for an actionable, informed background on the connections across the ways we use and transfer language skills.
houses a collection of approaches and resources for teachers ready to tackle the deeper practices that help ELLs succeed. There are a number of professional learning offerings in addition to their article collection —which helps track the existing and emerging practices that help support language learners across their school and community experiences.
Writers
Staff
Editor
Kenny Neal
Producer
Joanna McKee
Updated
January 15, 2020
Enhancing instruction with performing, visual and language arts can build skills, confidence, and understanding for English Language Learners.
Help English-learning students build language and communication skills through poetry and puppetry
Learn how parent volunteers can contribute to the learning environment with the right goal-oriented guidelines.
As a teacher you can help parents become strong arts education advocates.
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