Multilingual Learners
Supporting Multilingual Learners
Most English Learners (ELs) face the difficult tasks of learning to read English, learning to speak it, and learning about a new culture. Because of these challenges, EL students need additional support in three areas while learning to read English fluently: English language skills, vocabulary, and general background knowledge. Read Naturally Strategy programs are well-suited to provide this extra support.
Many English Learners express frustration with the many unfamiliar phonemes in English. But when English learners receive "explicit phonemic awareness instruction, they are able to catch up with native speakers' progress on word identification and spelling" (as cited in Antonacci & O'Callaghan, 2012, p. 2).
Multilingual Strategies in Read Naturally Programs
| Read Naturally Intervention Program | Descriptions | English Language Skills | Vocabulary | General Background Knowledge | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Audio Support | Repeated Readings | Explicit Phonics |
Student-Friendly Definitions With Audio Support | Vocabulary Questions | Audio-Supported Spanish Translations | Informative Nonfiction Stories | U.S. Culture and Language | ||
| Read Naturally Live | Web-based program: Sequenced, Phonics, Idioms, Español (Spanish) series | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Read Naturally Encore II | Print materials: Sequenced, Phonics, Idioms, Español (Spanish) series | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Word Warm-ups Live | Explicit phonics and word analysis | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| One Minute Reader Live | Independent Reading Practice | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| One Minute Reader (Books with audio) | Independent Reading Practice | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Read Naturally GATE | Teacher-led explicit phonics | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Take Aim at Vocabulary | Academic vocabulary | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
How Read Naturally Programs Support EL Students
Read Naturally programs support EL students in acquiring English language skills through the use of the audio built into every lesson. Students listen and read along as a native speaker reads each story with correct pronunciation and inflection. The rate of the audio is appropriately paced according to the reading level of the student to provide the scaffolding needed to internalize pronunciation and inflection. Reading the story or word lists aloud multiple times provides the practice students need to improve their oral language skills.
Easy access to the meanings of many words in each Read Naturally story provides EL students with the word knowledge necessary to understand the story while also building their English vocabulary.
- Most lessons begin with the definitions of several words key to the understanding of the story.
- Definitions are available for many words in each story.
- Some of the nonfiction stories are an in-depth description of a word. For example, the story Pioneers defines the word and provides the cultural connection to the United States.
- Each story has at least one question that focuses on the meanings of words.
- Many stories have Spanish translations available to use as a resource.
- Read Naturally—Español is the Spanish language version of Read Naturally Live and develops the literacy skills of multilingual readers.
EL students gain general background knowledge by reading the Read Naturally stories and practicing word lists. Read Naturally stories are nonfiction and provide information on a wide range of topics. Some stories discuss American manners and customs, and others define idioms.
Learn More About These Read Naturally Intervention Programs
Individualized reading intervention program using web-based software with Spanish translations for stories in early Sequenced levels. Read Naturally Live—Español is a Spanish-language version of Read Naturally Live that helps native Spanish speakers develop literacy skills and fluency in Spanish or to help native English speakers learn to read Spanish text fluently as an additional language.
Learn more about Read Naturally Live Learn more about Read Naturally Live—Español
Individualized reading intervention program using printed stories and audio CDs with Spanish audio for stories in early Sequenced levels. Read Naturally Encore II—Español is a Spanish-language version of Read Naturally Live that helps native Spanish speakers develop literacy skills and fluency in Spanish or to help native English speakers learn to read Spanish text fluently as an additional language.
Learn more about Read Naturally Encore II
A component of web-based Read Live for supplemental, independent reading.
Learn more about One Minute Reader Live
Printed books with audio support on CDs for supplemental, independent reading.
Learn more about One Minute Reader Books/Audio CDs
Small-group instruction to teach phonemic awareness, phonics, high-frequency words, and fluency.
Learn more about Read Naturally GATE
Small-group/individual instruction to teach vocabulary using high-quality words and nonfiction text.
Learn more about Take Aim at Vocabulary
Small-group instruction to teach phonemic awareness using scripted curriculum and interactive exercises.
Learn more about FunēmicsAdapting Read Naturally Strategy Programs for EL Students
Alignment With Recommended Practices
- Read Naturally and Recommended Practices
- Read Live Programs Align with IES Recommendations for Foundational Reading Skills
- Take Aim! at Vocabulary Aligns with IES Recommendations for Improving Adolescent Literacy
- Signs for Sounds Aligns With Common Core Spelling Checklist
Challenges We Address
Please let us know what questions you have so we can assist. For Technical Support, please call us or submit a software support request.