Homework

**The right type of homework for ELLs**

English Language Learners have more difficulties with homework than native English speakers due to the challenges they face with their second language. "ELLs may struggle with word problems and with conveying what they do know clearly and accurately. Good instruction can help with these challenges"[|(Deussen, T., Autio, E., Miller, B., Lockwood, A., Stewart, V., 2008, p. 31).]

Particularly with homework, clear explanations and review of kew vocabulary words in the instructions will be crucial in how an ELL solves a homework assignment. It is interesting to think about how many parents of ELLs do not have a high language proficiency in their child's L2 because this means that these students will not have anyone to help them at home.

There are several strategies that the teacher can implement in order to provide a more accurate approach to homework assignments for ELLs. Guidelines to assign effective math homework for ELLs according to Celic (2009, p.85) are summarized below:

**Effective Math HW for ELLs** - Preview the homework assignments with your class. - Choose homework activities that clearly build upon class work, and provide resources ELLs can take home for reference. - Include homework activities that are less language dependent as well as activities that are more language dependent. - Use math materials in L1 as well as in the L2 for homework assignments.

On the other hand, teachers need to watch out for the wrong type of math homework.

**Ineffective Math HW for ELLs** - Assigning homework without explaining how to complete the activities. - Assigning homework that addresses math topics you haven't taught yet in class. - Assigning homework that contains a large amount of unfamiliar language.

We have attached a short example of an advanced math class setting and how the teacher plans to improve the approach on homework for a particular lesson. Celic's guidelines to assigning effective homeweork to ELLs has been incorporated and expanded in the example.



**//According to Celic, (2009, p. 55) "ELLs need to understand and use academic mathematical language, have the reading skills to understand directions and problems, and have the writing skills to compose responses about how they solved a math problem".//**

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;"> [|The Best Practices for ELLs] website has developed recommendations for homework assignments. Building on Celic's guidelines, it seems that important strategies include taking into consideration the ELLs cultural background and connecting with the parents in order for them to be more involved with homework. As a teacher, when I transfer these best practices into my classroom I realize I may need to assign parts of my math HW in the ELLs L1 or recommend parents to read additional math literature with their kids in L1. Any improvement that will allow my students to understand assignments better at home will result in higher academic achievements for them.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Homework needs to be re-evaluated by teachers dealing with ELLs, this will also improve HW for native English speakers. Homework assignments should be differentiated among ELLs and native English speakers, however, the key strategies they must share are that homework must be clearly related to the lesson and that the assignments must be clearly understood in the classroom.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">An interesting article by Darn, S. posted on the [|British Council] website gives more insight on the role of homework for teaching ELLs and on how the increasing use of technology has an impact on homework. For further information please visit the sites in the references.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**References**

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">[|Deussen, T., Autio, E., Miller, B., Lockwood, A., Stewart, V. (2008)] What teachers should know about instruction for English Language Learners: a report to Washington State. Retrieved March 1, 2012 from []

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Celic, C.(2009) //<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">English Language Learners Day by Day K-6: A Complete Guide to Literacy, Content Area and Language Instruction //<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">. (p. 55). Portsmouth, N. H. : Heinemann

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Best Practices for English Language Learners website. []

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Darn, S. (2007) //Homework// retrieved March 3, 2012 from []