English language learners (ELLs) bring valuable perspectives, cultural knowledge, and multilingual skills that enrich your course. At the same time, they may face challenges when learning in an environment designed for native English speakers. As the number of English language learners continues to grow, it is important to recognize these challenges and plan for them in your course design and facilitation. 

Use the strategies in this article to adapt your online teaching practices and better support English language learners as they work toward academic success. 

Provide frequent feedback

Research highlights the importance of personal interaction in maintaining student motivation, especially in online learning (Costa-Guerra & Costa-Guerra, 2015). For ELLs, frequent feedback is not just beneficial; it’s essential for overcoming language barriers and mastering new content. Here are some practical ways you can offer consistent, quality feedback: 

By normalizing feedback and offering multiple avenues for interaction, you’ll help ELLs feel more comfortable seeking assistance and equip them with skills to monitor and fill gaps in their understanding (Ferlazzo, 2016).

Offer rubrics

Clear, detailed rubrics are invaluable for all students but especially for ELLs. They demystify assignments by outlining expectations and grading criteria, reducing misunderstandings that can lead to frustration. 

For instance, an American student may know how to structure a reflective essay or an annotated bibliography, but an ELL might struggle due to unfamiliarity with these formats. A comprehensive rubric paired with explicit instructions ensures that your students have the tools to succeed. 

An additional consideration is adding a verbal component, like a short video walkthrough of the rubric, to complement the written instructions (Ferlazzo, 2016). This extra step helps students process the information in multiple ways, increasing their confidence and ability to meet the requirements. A well-crafted rubric then becomes a teaching tool, guiding students to improve future assignments and master course objectives. 

Scaffold instructions with background information

ELLs often lack exposure to U.S.-centric content such as American history, culture, and educational norms so U.S. history, English, and literature courses can be particularly challenging for them. The lack of exposure can create challenges when an assignment pulls from this foundational knowledge. Scaffolding bridges these gaps by providing essential background information and resources. 

For these students, you’ll often need to provide background information that’s necessary for understanding the new material. For example, you might compose a preface or provide background information as part of the assignment instructions. When more extensive background reading is necessary, direct students to a resource that imparts information in an accessible way. Providing these resources allows ELLs to explore topics as needed, and will help ensure all students have the opportunity to succeed. 

Here are some examples of assignments and suggestions to help scaffold instruction for ELLs.

Provide multiple forms of assessment

Flexibility in assessment is another key strategy for supporting ELLs. Traditional written assignments can place a heavy burden on language skills, overshadowing the actual content mastery being assessed. By providing alternative ways to demonstrate understanding, you can keep the focus on learning objectives.

These options align with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, which aim to make learning accessible and engaging for all students, and providing these options allows both ELLs and native English speakers to engage in the learning style and domain of language they excel in (Nesbitt, 2015). Regardless of the medium, clear rubrics with expectations stated in a simple, straightforward manner are essential. 

By enrolling in your course, English language learners are taking on the added challenge of learning in a non-native language. You can support their success by identifying where they may need additional clarity and providing targeted resources or explanations. Applying the strategies in this article can help ensure that English language learners can work toward your learning objectives alongside native English speakers.