Another strategy suggested is content based instruction. Echevarria, Vogt, & Short (2004) state, “The content-based language approach transforms an ESL class into a forum for subject area knowledge generation, application, and reinforcement, by addressing key topics found in grade-level curricula. The sophistication of the material presented necessarily varies according to the language proficiency of the students in class, but nonetheless this material is considered relevant and meaningful by the students. In content-based ESL, content from multiple subject areas is often presented through thematic instruction. For example, in a primary grade classroom, one theme might be “Life on a Farm.”
Presently, I teach content-based instruction, and am working on a farm theme for my class. My book is Funny Farm by Mark Teague, and I utilize this book for EL and ESL toddlers. This book explores many different themes on the farm. For example, in the literature, I am able to study animals on the farm, cultivation, tools used on the farm, and even transportation. From each page a new theme is introduced. I take my children through a page at a time and completely study each picture in detail, supplying supplemental text and materials for the book. For example, when learning about cultivation, the main character Edward, plowed the field with his uncle. The illustrations in the text demonstrate this beautifully; however, in order for the student to understand about soil, and planting, my students will be learning how to make compost, dig a hole using the appropriate tools, and plant seeds and observe their growth. Personally, I believe content-based instruction offers a variety of ways to present information, covering many different subjects, such as English, Science, Math, Social Studies, and many more.
Echevarria, J., Vogt, M., & Short, D. J. (2004). Making content comprehensible for English learners: The SIOP Model (2nd ed.). Needham Heights, NJ: Allyn & Bacon.