Supporting English Language Learners

Supporting English Language Learners

Author: Shannon Betts and Mary Saghafi September 30, 2022 Duration: 1:22:39

Mary and Shannon chat with Stephaney Jones-Vo about how to best support the reading needs of English Language Learners.    Stephaney describes the differences in needs of ESOL students at various levels and provides easy ideas for differentiation and scaffolding for students at different levels.   Stephaney shares how to understand the language load of class assignments and assessments, and this lens will help teachers view their own learning assignments in a fresh and supportive way for their students.


Episode Resources:

  1. How Does the Science of Reading Apply to Teaching Multilingual Learners?
  2. Podcast episode about SOR and ELL
  3. Stephaney's book about Differentiation for ELLs *Amazon affiliate link*
  4. Stephaney's book: Powerful Practices for Supporting English Learners *Amazon affiliate link*
  5. Stephaney's book: Engaging English Learners Through Access to Standards *Amazon affiliate link*
  6. WIDA Can Do Descriptors for various grade levels
  7. WIDA Language Development Standards Framework (2020)
  8. About the WIDA Access assessments
  9. Reading Rockets:  What Does Research Tell Us About Teaching Reading to English Language Learners?
  10. EdSource:  Why Phonics Instruction is not Enough for English Learners
  11. What are BICS and CALP?
  12. Academic Language and ELLs: What Teachers Need to Know
  13. Academic Vocabulary Word Lists by Grade Level (Flocabulary)
  14. our Patreon site and details




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In the Reading Teachers Lounge, hosts Shannon Betts and Mary Saghafi pull up a chair for a conversation that feels both deeply professional and warmly familiar. These two elementary reading teachers and Atlanta neighbors discovered a shared, fervent passion for literacy over a local dinner, realizing they were kindred spirits in their mission. That initial chat never really ended, and now it forms the heart of this podcast. Each episode invites you into their ongoing dialogue, where practical classroom strategies, reflections on what works, and thoughtful discussions about reaching every single learner are all on the table. It’s a space designed for fellow educators, dedicated parents, and anyone invested in how children learn to read, offering tangible ideas rather than abstract theory. The tone is collaborative and grounded in real classroom experiences, reflecting a joint belief that literacy is foundational. By tuning in, you gain access to their collective experience and earnest curiosity, all focused on the complex, rewarding world of teaching reading. This isn't about performance; it's about sharing a genuine professional conversation from their lounge to yours, making the Reading Teachers Lounge a unique podcast for those who live and breathe language education.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 129

Reading Teachers Lounge
Podcast Episodes
Meeting Students Needs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:19
Shannon and Mary chat with Nancy Young and Jan Hasbrouck about differentiation and the latest updates to the Ladder of Reading and Writing. Listeners will get a better understanding of WHY it's so important to make adjus…
Delightful Word Learning with Colette Hiller [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:27
Shannon and Mary chat with critically acclaimed author and experienced actress & advocate Colette Hiller about ways to make word learning innovative and fun. Colette is releasing a new book titled Colossal Words for Kids…
Supportive Strategies for Working Memory [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:44
Shannon and Mary chat about how to best support learners with working memory challenges. This is a companion episode to a deep dive learning topic we went through with our Patreon community about Working Memory. Listener…
Meaningful Professional Learning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:46
Shannon and Mary talk with Kelly Butler and Carla Stanford about professional learning that is meaningful. Kelly Butler worked with the Barksdale Reading Institute to bring about systems change in reading instruction in…
the Intersection of Speech, Reading, and Language [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:30
Shannon and Mary chat with speech therapist Dr. Karen Dudek Brannan about the overlaps between speech, reading, and language. Dr. Karen helps us understand the challenges facing students with language impairments. From t…
the Importance of Handwriting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:40
Shannon and Mary discuss the importance of prioritizing handwriting instruction simultaneously with reading and writing instruction in the early grades. Learn why handwriting is essential for overall literacy development…
Date Your Data [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:31
Shannon shares with Mary the steps she follows for analyzing student data. This Date Your Data process requires multiple steps of looking at test scores, improvement goals, student strengths and weaknesses, and then conn…
Building Knowledge with Linda Rhyne [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:44
Shannon and Mary are joined in by Linda Rhyne in the Reading Teachers Lounge. They share a deep dive of information from the book, The Knowledge Gap by Natalie Wexler. This episode is full of information and strategies t…
Ideas for Differentiation with Wiley Blevins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:17
Shannon chats with her favorite literacy guru, Wiley Blevins, about the decisions and methods that go into differentiation. Shannon picks his brain about some of her reading students. Also, Wiley shares insights from his…
Gifts for Our Readers with Dr. Karen Gazith [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:32
Shannon and Mary chat with Dr. Karen Gazith about her new book The Power of Effective Reading Instruction. The conversation flowed through many topics but ultimately what you can gain from our discussion is the gifts we…