One way to adapt any content lesson for ELLs is to include both content objectives and language objectives.  Language objectives describe what reading, writing, listening, or speaking tasks students need to be able to do to demonstrate the content knowledge.

 

How do you write language objectives?

First, identify the content standards that are appropriate for the unit.

1. Decide what key vocabulary, concept words, and other academic words students will need to know in order to talk, read, and write about the topic of the lesson.

2. Consider the language functions related to the topic of the lesson (e.g, will the students describe, explain, compare, or chart information).

3. Think about the language skills necessary for students to accomplish the lesson's activities.

4. Identify grammar or language structures common to the content area.

5. Consider the tasks that the students will complete and the language that will be embedded in those assignments.

6. Explore language learning strategies that lend themselves to the topic of the lesson.

 

Examples:

Students will be able to orally describe characteristics of liquids, solids, and gases to a partner.

Students will be able to read descriptions of triangles and their angles.

Students will be able to summarize in writing how geography impacted colonial life.

 

Himmel, J. (2012). Colorin colorado! Helping children read....and succeed! Retrieved February 25, 2014, from Language Objectives: The Key to Effective Content Area Instruction for English Learners: http://www.colorincolorado.org/article/49646/