Strategies to Help ELL Students Gain the Confidence to Speak English in Class

Getting comfortable speaking a foreign language in public is a hurdle most ELL students must overcome to participate in class. In this discussion, ELL teachers share strategies to help students break through any hesitance or concerns.

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Laleh Ghotbi started her teaching career in 1992 in Iran, where she taught in middle and high school for 7 years and worked as an academic coach at the school district for the next two year. In August 2000, she came to the United States with her husband and their 8-year-old son. Since then, she has worked as an Academic Enhancement Coordinator at Indian Hills Elementary for two years and earned two masters’ degrees; Master of Science and Technology-Biotechnology from the University of Utah, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Westminster College where she graduated with honors and was chosen as the student speaker for the 2017 commencement.
Dr. Ivannia Soto is a Professor of Education and Director of Graduate Programs at Whittier College, where she specializes in language acquisition, systemic reform for English language learners (ELLs), and urban education. She began her career in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), where she taught English and English Language Development to a population of 99.9% Latinos, who either were or had been multilingual learners. Before becoming a professor, Dr. Soto also served LAUSD as a literacy coach, as well as district office and county office administrator.

Jody Nolf is a former public school educator and has a degree in English, certification in reading and ESOL, and a master’s degree in leadership and administration. For over twenty years, she has taught English and Reading to middle and high school students. Six years ago, she transitioned into the world of ESOL as a full-time coordinator and advocate for ELL learners. In 2020, she was named a Champion of Equity by the American Consortium for Equity in Education. In June of 2022, she began a new career at Vista Higher Learning as the Florida Literacy and Language Sales Specialist. She continues to share her passion for literacy and advocate for multilingual learners.

Anastasia Martinez has worked with Multilingual learners in the United States and abroad for more than 10 years. Currently, she is serving Multilingual learners and their families in Pittsburg, CA as an ELD and AVID Excel teacher.