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Tools and Resources for Working with ELL Students
Teaching Tools
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ESL Version of Immigration and Human Rights Fact Sheet: This fact sheet explains the specific rights that immigrants and refugees are guaranteed under international human rights treaties. In order to make this information more widely accessible, The Advocates has created versions in both English and Spanish that are more appropriate for those who speak English as a second language.
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Best Practices The Advocates for Human Rights has collected “best practice” ideas that teachers have used in working with immigrant and refugee students.
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Immigration Fact Sheets: Fact sheets to dispel myths, understand the impact of immigration on the economy, on our urban / rural communities, national security and more. A PowerPoint activity to address myths and facts about immigrants is also available by clicking here.
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Refugee Lessons: Lessons to teach about refugee issues. Include a PowerPoint and links to information about the countries from which Minnesota and the US receives many refugees.
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Facts About Immigrant Students - Quiz: A quiz for teachers about immigrant students (answers included). For general immigration questions refer to the website operated by the US Customs and Immigration Service at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis
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Suggested Literature on Immigration: Packet of suggested literature with themes of contemporary immigration and refugee issues for readers of all ages and abilities.
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everythingESL.net Lesson plans, teaching tips and other resources are provided in this website. Articles listed under teaching tips address common issues, such as welcoming a new student, challenges for ELLs, communication techniques, developing multicultural curriculum, language acquisition and cultural differences.
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In the Classroom: A Toolkit for Effective Instruction for English Language Learners National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition developed this website to assist teachers in bilingual, ESL, or English-only settings. The site provides information on preparing classrooms for English learners, stages and challenges of language acquisition, teaching a diverse mix of language backgrounds and speaking abilities, and getting parents involved. Lesson plans and explanations are available along with each component to provide tools for addressing the needs of ELL students.
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Minnesota Department of Education: English Language Learners
This website provides many resources directed toward the needs of Minnesota teachers with English learners in their classrooms. Guidelines for education standards and information on upcoming ELL Workshops and Conferences are also available.
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NWREL: Meeting the Needs of Immigrant Students
The article on this webpage, “Meeting the Needs of Immigrant Student,” focuses on the experience of immigrant students and how teachers can effectively enhance the education of these students. The article highlights programs for newcomers and a plethora of teaching strategies.
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The National Council of Teachers of English This website contains sections focused on elementary, middle school, secondary, and college levels of English learners. Recent articles, notices about conferences, and policy information are also available.
Organizations Which Present in Minnesota Schools
Resources for Students
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Options for College: A list of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities which offer comparable tuition to undocumented students.
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Child Victims of Trauma: The Center for Victims of Torture offers information to professionals working with child victims of trauma and an especially useful booklet for teachers entitled "My name is ... Stories and art by young refugees in Minnesota schools". To learn more and order for $5, please call 612-436-4800.
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Responding to Immigration Raids: Resources to help students respond to immigration raids.
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Access to Public Benefits: The public assistance for immigrants, including refugees and asylees is extremely complicated. Thanks to SMRLS (Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services) for their expertise in explaining such complex information. To access an accompanying quiz on access to public benefits, please click here.
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Legal Referral Sheet: Attorney and free/low cost legal referral sheet.
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Community Resource List: From Hennepin County Work and Economic Resource Center.
Information from the 2007 Minnetesol Conference
Follow-up on Questions from the 2007 Minnetesol Keynote Presentation
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Visuals for classroom use - One participant asked about visuals in the form of postcards that can be used to put a face with the issue of immigration. An organization called NAKASEC had a highly effective campaign in 2006. It was the We Are America Picture Postcard campaign. Click to learn more and see/order postcards through NAKASEC.
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Joint Sponsorship - One participant asked about being asked to help someone sponsor a family member to immigrate to the United States. When the primary sponsor cannot meet the income requirements (125% of the federal poverty level), a joint sponsor who can meet the income requirements may submit an I-864 form to sponsor all or some of the family members. The person is being asked to file an I864 affidavit of support as a Joint Sponsor. The Department of State's website answers questions about the I864. Additionally, immigration lawyers at The Advocates recommend visit to the legal clinic to talk with an immigration attornery before filing an I864 to fully understand the financial obligation or joint sponsorship.
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FinAid has compiled the list of a few private scholarships for undocumented students that do not require the student to be a US citizen or resident or have a social security number in order to apply. Information about such scholarships can be found in the FastWeb scholarship search. Other good resources include the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) (see especially the MALDEF List of Scholarships for Undocumented Students and the MALDEF Scholarships) and the Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund. See also Ayuda Financiera del Estudiante en Español.
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