Effective strategies for teaching english language learners by karen pellino students with english as a second language esl constitute a significant percentage of the population of our nations schools this population continues to increase more rapidly than that of native english speaking students shore 2001 the language minority population has a high drop out rate these students . 5 first and second language acquisition second language acquisition are not required as part of teacher education programs however understanding these theories about language acquisition and the factors that affect language learning will definitely help you reach english learners effectively 6 english language proficiency. Targeted strategy 5 use charts and graphic organizers charts and graphic organizers such as kwlh what i know what i want to learn what i learned and how i learned what i learned venn diagrams and timelines help students focus their listening for example students watching a video about the amazon jungle can complete a kwlh chart. Teaching english language learners home thoughts about english second language acquisition methods and techniques resources through social interaction the learner then internalizes language formation this theory is linked to the zone of proximal development zpd zpd is defined as the metaphorical place in which a learner is capable of a higher level of performance because there is . Use cooperative learning strategies such as jigsaw learning and peer observations use task cards with written and visual information use newspapers magazines and web sites in assignments utilize your librarians avoid testing exclusively in english since students may not be able to demonstrate their learning in a second language