International Teachers: EAL in the Mainstream Classroom

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Connect Extend Challenge

This is a thinking routine which helps us to make connections between new ideas and prior knowledge. You can read more about it here: Connect Extend Challenge_0.pdf (harvard.edu)

EXAMPLE

For example, you have concerns about the grammatical errors the multilingual learners make in their speaking and writing and think that it would be helpful for them if they received additional support with grammar or pronunciation lessons as a separate part of their school day. The EAL teacher explains the different approaches of linguistic thought (structural vs. systemic functional linguistics) to explain how he will monitor and instruct language development as a part of the classroom content.  You can read an article or view a video on the topic in order to learn more.

Ask yourself these questions:

  1. How are these two terms connected to something I know about?

  2. After reading/ viewing, what new ideas or impressions do I have that extends my thinking in new directions?

  3. What is challenging or confusing for me? For my school?

Come prepared to share your thinking with others.