by Laura McBride
As a former English Learner (EL) teacher for over 15 years, I often heard a familiar concern from classroom and content teachers: How do we keep multilingual learners engaged during instruction? At first, I scratched my head—my students were usually engaged in my pull-out language development groups. But then it hit me: routines. In my small groups, I relied on structured routines and a low-risk environment with plenty of accountability.
Sure, these routines seemed easier to manage in small groups, but as I teamed up with classroom teachers, we discovered they worked wonders in larger settings too! After some fine-tuning and prep, engagement shot up—not just for multilingual students, but for everyone. Ready to try it? Here are three simple routines to boost engagement and learning across the board.
1. Start by Doing Something Meaningful with Learning Objectives
We’ve all seen Marzano’s research: when students understand the what and why of a lesson, learning sticks. But I didn’t fully grasp its power until I made learning objectives interactive.
Like most teachers, I posted daily objectives to check a box for when I was observed. But when I started doing something with them, the impact was surprising—and not just for me. Classroom teachers I worked with saw the magic, too.
Nancy Motley nails it in her book Small Moves, Big Gains:
“This small move disrupts distractions, prompts students to check into the lesson, and promotes their understanding” (Motley, p. 47).
How to Implement:
My go-to? Annotating the objective. It’s quick, low-prep, and boosts comprehension from the get-go. Here’s how:
- Choral Read: Have students read the objective aloud together. It’s low-risk and gets everyone engaged immediately. This step activates prior knowledge and builds a shared linguistic foundation, crucial for multilingual learners.
- Break It Down: Circle tricky words and ask, “How else could we say this?” Jot down their ideas. This practice encourages metacognition and builds a bridge between students’ existing language and new academic vocabulary. Add quick doodles (a magnifying glass for “investigate,” for example) to make abstract concepts concrete.
Watch for those aha! moments. Suddenly, the lesson feels personal and the goal feels attainable and clear. Plus, the annotated objective becomes a visual anchor you can revisit throughout the unit, reinforcing learning through repetition and visual cues.
2. Use Sentence Frames to Guide Student Discussions
Peer-to-peer discussions aren’t just a sign of engagement—they build motivation, inclusivity, and deeper understanding. But let’s be real: they can also devolve into chaos. Enter: sentence frames.
These handy tools offer three big benefits:
- Reduce Anxiety: Students have a starting point, so they dive in without fear. This scaffolding is particularly important for multilingual learners, who may need additional support to organize their thoughts in a new language.
- Promote Academic Language: Frames encourage complete sentences and complex structures, providing a model for academic discourse.
- Embed Vocabulary: As you customize frames with key academic terms, you are helping students internalize essential vocabulary.
Why It Works:
Student talk isn’t just about participation—it’s a powerful tool for solidifying learning. When students engage in structured discussions, they have to process information deeply, articulate their thoughts clearly, and listen actively to their peers. This active engagement reinforces comprehension and boosts retention because students are connecting new concepts to their existing knowledge base in a meaningful way. For multilingual learners, speaking and listening activities also enhance language acquisition by providing real-time practice with academic language and contextual vocabulary.
Practical Tips:
Pro tip: Practice together first. Read the frames aloud as a class. (Yep, I’m a fan of strategic choral reading!) It helps everyone feel confident, even struggling readers. This collective practice creates a supportive environment where students can hear correct pronunciation and syntax, reducing language-related anxiety.
Another tip? Assign speaking order. No prep needed—just say, “Tallest goes first!” or “Closest to the door starts!” This small move removes uncertainty and keeps the discussion flowing smoothly.
3. Increase Student Talk by Randomizing Participation
Want to boost engagement and accountability without raising the stakes? Randomly call on students—but keep it safe. Combined with sentence stems, this strategy signals that everyone’s voice matters.
You’ve probably heard of this before, and there are fancy digital spinners out there. But my favorite tool? Popsicle sticks. Write names on them and pull throughout the day. This low-tech approach is not only cost-effective but also creates a tactile, visual element that students find engaging.
Key Considerations:
The key: avoid the “gotcha” moment. Make sure students practice with peers first or know multiple answers are acceptable. By establishing a culture of respect and encouragement, you transform what could be an anxiety-inducing moment into a positive, confidence-building experience.
These routines transformed my classroom into a lively, engaging space where everyone felt included—and I’ve seen them work wonders in countless others. They align with best practices in language acquisition and active learning, making them a valuable addition to any classroom. Try them out, tweak them as needed, and watch your multilingual learners thrive. Who knows? You might just find your whole class buzzing with excitement.
Motley, N. (2022). Small Moves, Big Gains: Teacher Habits That Help Kids to Talk More, Think More, Achieve More, (1st ed.). Seidlitz Education.
