English Language Learners

How do linguistic transfer, socio-cultural background and home context shape early literacy development for elementary English Language Learners?

Before one can implement creative literacy strategies there must be an understanding of how a child’s native language, background and cultural experiences influence their journey towards English proficiency.

Who are English Language Learners:

Fast Facts:

• Approximately 25% of Alberta students (K-12) do not speak English as their primary language (Alberta Education, 2011)
• 75% of English Language learners are in either Calgary (approx. 50%) or Edmonton (approx. 15%) (Alberta Education, 2025)
• Government of Alberta provides 5 years of targeted ELL funds 
• Educators are required to fill out the Additional Language Proficiency Benchmarks Assessment Tool in order to identify English proficiency in ELL learners. The categories are listening, speaking, reading and writing. 
• it can take approx. 3-4 years in school for young students to learn English (learn English vocabulary comparable to their peers) (Alberta, Education, 2009)
• it can take approx. 5-7 years in school for young students to master complex English skills (spoken and written) (Alberta Education, 2009)

Stages of Learning:

There are a number of stages that children will move through when learning English as a new language. The speed in which they move through each stage can vary depending on the child but it is also important to consider that sometimes they have characteristics of more than one stage as they transition between stages. Educators must know each child’s abilities and developmental level for planning and programming needs.

1) Beginning Stage

• Use of home language in the classroom as this is the language they are familiar with
• Nonverbal - some students may not speak or use any language at all at first. They are listening and accumulating knowledge. May use gestures or non verbal cues to communicate to adults and other children. 

2) Emerging Stage

• one-or -two word phrases are usually spoken, usually responses to questions.
• Opening the door to more social interactions = more English learning opportunities

3) Developing Stage

• Move from memorized sentences to more original English conversation
• English usually has errors in pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar. There are two main types of error transfer and developmental errors. Transfer errors are due to their first language (accent) and developmental errors that are typically common among all learners of English.

Culturally Responsible Teaching

Samuels (2018) argues that learning is more effective when educators follow a cultural response approach to teaching. An approach where the learning is student-centered and incorporates students’ cultural backgrounds and lived experiences into instruction.

Below are some factors to consider with Culturally Responsive Teaching:

1) Learn about students' backgrounds & find cultural resource that are applicable

2) Learning and sharing about music

3) Use of storytelling

4) Connect with ELL families

Ways to Support ELL Families

1. Learn about your families

2. Make families feel welcome

3. Communication - ensure families have language access

4. Connect families with supports