Bilingual Glossary

Instructs in a content area using both English and students’ native language.  A bilingual endorsement as well as a content area license are required. 

(Community Outreach Liaison): Serves as a communication link to ESL families and communities under the supervision of licensed staff. 

Associate Educator, Aide): ESL staff who collaborate with licensed staff, support ESL students with minimal supervision, and assists with second language and second culture families as needed. 

Teachers are licensed in a content area with bilingual endorsement. ELL students receive cores curriculum instruction in L1, while developing English language skills in other classes.

A person [child or adult] who speaks two languages.

Near native-like knowledge of two cultures.  Includes the ability to respond effectively in two cultures.

Basic interpersonal communication skills.  The language ability required for verbal face-to-face communication.

this term refers to the background experience and knowledge that students bring to the classroom. 

the affective filter may interfere with language acquisition because it involves public practice and speaking in front of others.  The risk involved in public practice can produce anxiety that blocks the learner’s ability to process new information.  To counteract the affective filter, teachers can create an effective learning environment for ELLs that helps them integrate into their new school environment (e.g., provide a nonthreatening classroom experience and demonstrate to ELLs that their needs are understood.) 

Bilingual program that promotes the development and retention of students’ first language as they learn a second language. 

Modifications in materials and instruction made for ELLs. 

Vocabulary words that students use when speaking or writing as opposed to receptive vocabulary which are the words that students understand when used by others.

Changes to spoken or written language to make it comprehensible for ELLs.

The variety of English used in schools, textbooks, and many business and government transactions.