Professional Development

Differentiated Instruction for English Language Learners

The following material was contributed by Bob Wandberg, Ph.D., author and educator, Minnesota Department of Education.

Differentiated instruction is especially important in language-diverse classrooms, where many learning activities can and should be modified. Before determining what level of differentiation is needed for your English language learners (ELL), ask yourself the following two questions:

1. Which of the three most recognized language proficiency levels best describes my English language learners? The use of verb taxonomies helps identify appropriate student support for each learning level:
   • Beginning/Early Intermediate
     Read English at 0-2.5 grade level. Activity verbs: tell, point, circle, underline, name, draw, change, describe, and discuss.
   • Intermediate
     Read English at 2.6-3.5 grade level. Activity verbs: apply, show, classify, modify, explain, solve, and demonstrate.
   • Early Advanced
     Read English at 3.6-5.5 grade level. Activity verbs: analyze, compare, contrast, criticize, examine, create, predict, design, manage, and prepare.
2. Is some degree of activity modification necessary to assure achievement and success? Many activities do need modification for ELL students. There are three ways to modify an activity:
   • Modify the Language Rigor
     Change the activity verb to better align with the student's language proficiency.
   • Modify the Independence Rigor
     Change the students' degree of independence. For example, directions to complete a task "independently" can be changed to "with a partner."
   • Provide Product Options
     Allow students to demonstrate their learning in multiple ways. Examples might include writing a poem or song; orally explaining; creating a commercial; making a poster; or drawing a cartoon.

The following mini-video clip, Reading: Understanding English Language Learners, features Ruben Zepeda, EdD, discussing the issues teachers must address when they have English Language Learners in their classrooms.