Issues Facing ELLs

Question 1

Phonology/Phonographemics

Answer 1

Need hearing and speaking repetition. Phonemic sounds-Teach and Drill!

Must be able to speak and hear language before they can spell it

Pronunciation of sounds

Pitch affecting meaning of sentence

Syllable stress-affecting meaning of words and sentences

Homonyms need to be taught explicitly. Large source of confusion

Question 2

Morphology

Answer 2

Native language principles of morphology may transfer to either promote or interfere with second language learning

Overgeneralization of rules

Question 3

Syntax

Answer 3

Some languages not subject-verb-object like English

Question 4

Parts of speech

Answer 4

Often overgeneralize that sentence fragments are short and complete sentences are long

Same words can have different meanings/play a different role in different sentences
Placement of word in relation to subject or verb indicates the part of speech

Question 5

Pragmatics

Answer 5

Different cultural ideas of speaking distance, volume, intonation, etc

Question 6

Idioms

Answer 6

Need to be taught in structured form incorporating discussions and contextual support