Engaging English learners in SEL

Q: One of the teachers I coach is teaching a social-emotional learning class that meets once per week. She’s using a canned curriculum she purchased; this is her first time in the classroom. Most of the class are English learners, but they have different language backgrounds and degrees of need. She worries about those new to the language and fears some lessons won’t transfer across language barriers. What can I do to support her?

Signed a compassionate coach who doesn’t want to give bad advice

A: Compassionate coach, thank you for reaching out about this challenge. Social-emotional learning (SEL) is crucial for all students, especially for English learners (ELs), who may face additional challenges in navigating language and emotional landscapes. When I’ve visited countries where English is not the dominant language, I struggled and felt like an outsider, and that was just for a short period. Learners who are new to their surroundings must navigate the challenges of learning in a new place and an unfamiliar language, which increases the need for social and emotional support. Here are some strategies to help your teacher effectively engage her English learners in the SEL curriculum.

Understand the cultural context

Every language carries a rich cultural context that shapes how emotions are expressed and understood. Encourage the teacher to take time at the beginning of each lesson to explore these cultural nuances. This can be done through discussions or activities that allow students to share their own cultural perspectives on emotions, relationships, and social situations. This validates their experiences and enriches the classroom environment for all students. It will also help develop the relationships in the space, increasing classroom safety moving forward.

Build a safe and inclusive environment

Creating a classroom culture that prioritizes safety and inclusivity is essential. Encourage the teacher to establish ground rules that promote student respect and understanding. This can include active listening, encouraging students to share their thoughts without fear of judgment, and celebrating cultural diversity. One way we can do that is to have students do some kind of show and tell or presentation about their culture — something unique to their country or family that will offer insight into their experience. Regularly checking in with students about their comfort levels and experiences can help the teacher adjust her approach flexibly.

Use visual supports

Visual aids are a powerful tool in bridging language gaps. Encourage the teacher to incorporate a variety of visual supports, such as pictures, charts, and videos, into her lessons. These can help English learners grasp complex emotional concepts and vocabulary. For example, when discussing feelings, using images that depict different emotions can help students identify and articulate their own feelings more easily.

Consider creating a feelings chart with pictures and translations in the students’ native languages to serve as a reference throughout the course. Having one of these on every desk for each child with a different language might be helpful, so they have a guide to support them. Additionally, you can do Frayer Models with them where they choose a feeling or react to a scenario and use the graphic organizer to go more deeply into the language of emotions.

Foster collaborative learning

Group work can be particularly beneficial for ELs. Encourage the teacher to structure activities that allow students to work in pairs or small groups, mixing language-proficiency levels. This promotes language development through peer interaction and allows for the sharing of diverse perspectives. Assign roles within groups to ensure that each student can contribute based on their strengths, whether that’s through drawing, speaking, or writing.

Simplify language and instructions

While the curriculum may be set, the language used to deliver lessons can be adjusted. Encourage the teacher to simplify her language, using clear and concise instructions. Additionally, she can model the vocabulary and phrases related to the discussed SEL topics. Repetition is critical, so revisiting vocabulary throughout the lessons will help reinforce understanding. Consider providing bilingual glossaries or keyphrase lists that students can refer to during discussions and activities. Phone translators can also be helpful if the languages are less familiar.

Incorporate movement and role-playing

SEL concepts can be abstract, making them difficult for ELs to grasp. Incorporating movement and role-playing into lessons can make these concepts more tangible. For instance, when discussing empathy, students can role-play scenarios to practice responding to different social situations. This not only aids comprehension but also allows students to express themselves in a safe and supportive environment. Project Zero at Harvard has many great thinking routines that you can use for these kinds of activities.

Engage families and communities

Involving families can significantly enhance the SEL experience for ELs. Encourage the teacher to reach out to families, providing them with resources in their native languages that explain the SEL curriculum and its importance. Hosting family workshops or informational sessions can create a partnership that reinforces the SEL concepts at home. This connection can empower families to discuss emotions and social skills, further supporting their children’s learning. Any time we can get families involved in and out of school increases a student’s success rates.

Continuous professional learning

Lastly, remind the teacher that she is not alone in this journey. Encourage her to seek out professional development opportunities focused on teaching ELs and SEL. Networking with educators in similar situations can provide valuable insights and resources. Online forums, workshops, and webinars, as well as social media, where groups are formed based on shared interests, can be excellent ways to gain new strategies and support.

Supporting ELs in a social-emotional learning environment requires a thoughtful and multifaceted approach. By understanding cultural contexts, building an inclusive environment, utilizing visual supports, fostering collaboration, simplifying language, incorporating movement, engaging families, and pursuing ongoing professional development, your teacher can create a nurturing space where all students feel valued and empowered to express themselves.

Your compassion and commitment to your colleague and her students are commendable. They can navigate this challenge with your guidance and meaningfully impact their students’ lives.

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