Supporting Diverse Learners: Strategies and Accommodations for ESL and Disabled Students

1. Tutoring ESL Students and Students with Disabilities

2. Students with Disabilities

3. Learn About Learning Styles • Teaching Visual Learners • Teaching Auditory Learners • Teaching Kinesthetic Learners • Applying Learning Styles Strategies for Students with Learning Disabilities • Multi-Sensory Approaches

4. In General, Tips to Remember • break learning into small steps; • supply regular, quality feedback; • use diagrams, graphics and pictures to augment what they say in words; • provide ample independent, well-designed intensive practice; • model instructional practices that they want students to follow; • provide prompts of strategies to use; and • engage students in process type questions like “How is the strategy working? Where else might you apply it?”

5. Treat Each Student as an Individual • Invite Disclosure • Remember that Each Student is Unique • Talk Privately with Each Student about Individual Needs • Discuss with the Student How to Best Accommodate Needs and How Accommodations will be Implemented

6. Typical Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:There are NO Typical Accommodations“Case-by-Case Basis” Examples of Possible Accommodations: • Extended Time for Testing • Exams in Assessment Center • Use of E-text for Textbooks and Exams • Notes, Copy of Overheads, Tape Recorder • Use of Technology for Reading or Writing • Use of Calculator, Color Coding *EXCEPT WHEN THESE ARE THE SKILLS THAT YOU ARE EVALUATING AND THEY ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE CURRICULUM*

7. Tips for Working withStudents with Psychiatric Disabilities • All students must abide by student code of conduct • A student’s safe haven • Emergency protocols

8. Accommodations that may be Helpful • Extended time for testing • Exams in Assessment Center (separate room) • Note taker, tape recorder • May need to be excused from public speaking, if appropriate • May need to leave room • May need to bring water to class • Medication may slow/alter thinking

9. Tips for Working withStudents with Mobility Disabilities • Architectural barriers may be encountered • May use mobility assistance (wheelchair, power chair, crutches • Furniture may need adjusting to provide access • If there are limited barriers, students may require minimal accommodations

10. Respect personal space, including chair • Sit, kneel if talking for extended time • Offer assistance, don’t force it • Report architectural barriers • Don’t presume disability = handicap • If disability impacts hands/arms also, additional accommodations may be needed

11. ESL Students

12. Your Role • Become a student of culture • Be sensitive to cultural differences • Promote a multicultural point of view • Allow students to become students of culture

13. Classroom Support • Curriculum material that reflect a variety of cultural groups • Lessons that address different learning styles and modalities • Visual aides and bilingual resources • Role modeling/peer grouping

14. Methods of Instruction • Interactive lessons with hands on activities and cooperative learning • Encouragement of creativity and discovery • Versatility and flexibility • Enhancement and support of the mainstream curriculum • Opportunities for all students to feel successful

15. Other Tips • Obtain an outline of the lecture • Emphasize key points. Stressing key words, writing on the board, repeating yourself with emphasis, etc. • Use visuals. Diagrams and images can help comprehension • Write down critical vocabulary. Especially helpful for names students need for future reference. • Be patient.

16. Ask questions clearly. Try to avoid the stereotypical “foreigner talk”—excessively slow and loud speech. Just be aware that it can be difficult to understand rapid, idiomatic speech. Slow down. • Be understanding. Some students will be very self-conscious about their imperfect English. They may be frustrated and concerned that their peers will think they’re less intelligent if they don’t speak perfect English. • Be supportive. Positive reinforcement is critical.

17. Things to Remember • English is not an easy language to learn • Use a variety of methods and strategies to support a positive learning environment • Be sensitive to cultural differences • Provide consistency in classroom regulations and expectations

18. Let’s Get Started!