Students who speak English as a second language are becoming more prevalent in American schools every day. School districts are increasingly seeking to ways to effectively integrate English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction into the classroom. Effective strategies include utilizing proven teaching methods which make content more accessible for students who do not speak English as a native language.

Utilize Visual Activities
Information is retained more effectively when as many senses as possible are utilized in the delivery. Visual cues are especially helpful for ESL learners, as are hands-on activities. These types of activities allow students to connect language to pictures, making that language more accessible in the future.

Let English Language Learners Work With Native Speakers
When forming cooperative learning groups, it might be tempting to group students with similar language abilities together. However, this does a disservice to ESL learners. Mixed language ability groups allow students to learn from one another and to practice their language with interlocutors that can model correct usage.

Use Routines to Reinforce Language
Classroom routines reinforce language and increase students' comfort level. Students learn to associate language with the routine, and then can branch out and use that vocabulary in other situations. Routines also make all students feel comforted and safe, even when they cannot comprehend all of the language being used.

Correcting Student Responses
When a student raises his or her hand and offers a response that does not conform to standard English grammar rules, the first instinct you may have is to correct the student. However, this isn't the best course of action. Your goal is to get the students talking; even if their responses model nonstandard English, the fact that your students feel comfortable expressing themselves in English is a major step. Most students will acquire grammar rules through regular use and focused practice, not through explicit correction when expressing themselves in front of the class.