Teaching Science to English Language Learners

Ecosystem, photosynthesis, carnivore, metamorphosis – these are all scientific terms that many elementary and middle school students are expected to know after completing a unit in life science class. For some students, understanding scientific vocabulary is akin to learning another language – and there are actually some similarities! Now, imagine how difficult it is for students whose native language isn’t English – not only must they digest new, unfamiliar terminology; they must also attempt to make sense of English definitions (which may or may not contain additional unfamiliar vocabulary)! 

As teachers with English Language Learners (ELL) in our classrooms, we often have our work cut out for us. However, there are a number of strategies you can utilize in order to help ELL students learn science. 

1.  Connect content with student's lives: Try to find real world examples to which students can relate, and use them to help explain the content. Inviting a guest speaker from a diverse background or reading an article that connects content with student interests (i.e., an article about vampire bats during a unit on mammals – kids can’t seem to get enough of all things vampire these days) are just a couple of ways to do this.

2.  Graphic organizers and diagrams: Whenever possible, utilize visuals while explaining content, and ask students to connect with the material by drawing pictures, diagrams, and graphic organizers. This helps all of the students in your classroom, but it’s especially helpful for those students who are still learning English and may have a difficult time learning in a lecture-based format.

3.  Cooperative learning: Research has shown that ELL students can improve their English proficiency by working in groups with native English speakers. By working cooperatively, students are utilizing both scientific and everyday vocabulary in order to complete the task.

4.  Hands on activities: Allow ELL students to interact with science content through lab investigations, simulations, and other types of kinesthetic learning. 

Utilizing these strategies will not only help ELL students learn science, it will be beneficial to native English speakers as well. For more ideas on teaching science to ELL’s, try the following lesson plans.

Science and English Language Development Lesson Plans:

Content-based Science Instruction for ELLs 
Is it possible to increase interest and add excitement to ESL instruction through science-based thematic units? Yes it is! Help students reach Core Curriculum Content Standards while engaging their interest.

Extreme Weather: Hurricanes
Hurricanes are often in the news as they wreak havoc in the United States. Where do they come from? How do they form? Teach your ELLs this timely information about hurricanes.

Soaring High with Kites
Help your ESL students obtain new heights in English language learning through this dynamic unit on kites. Through this topic your students can study the importance of kites in cultures around the world and investigate the role that kites have played in scientific discovery, Includes downloadable activities.

Forests, Deserts & Grasslands
Familiarize your ELLs with specific content and vocabulary related to biomes and ecosystems. Help them make connections to previous learning and draw from their background knowledge. Includes classroom resource picks.