Resource Library Resource Library
Oral Language Development Oral Language Development
Oral language development is the building of Multilingual Learners’ (MLs’) speaking and listening skills to engage in academic discussions. MLs need structured peer learning opportunities that promote authentic talk using meaningful and robust language through open-ended prompts to build those oral language skills.
Peer learning provides MLs with opportunities to hear and practice discipline-specific language that supports their language acquisition, learning of academic language, and literacy development. In particular, MLs need the repetition and recycling of language that occurs during peer-to-peer discussions as ideas are explained and analyzed to enhance their learning and retention of new content.
Four key practices support MLs in developing skills needed for structured peer learning. SupportEd provides various solutions and practical tools to help build your understanding of these key practices. For a more detailed understanding of fostering MLs’ oral language, check out chapter 4 of Unlocking English Learners’ Potential.

Printables Printables
Observation checklist
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Supporting English Learners Oral Language Development Through Academic Conversations
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Practices to Engage ELs in Academic Conversations and Encourage Oral Language Development
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Questions for Self-Assessment with Expert “Do’s and Don’ts”
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Books Books

Unlocking English Learners’ Potential Unlocking English Learners’ Potential
Self-Paced Learning Self-Paced Learning

Strategies for Making Content Accessible to ELs Collaborative Course Strategies for Making Content Accessible to ELs Collaborative Course
In the Strategies for Making Content Accessible to ELs self-paced course, you will explore research-based practices for supporting ELs as they learn academic language and content.
Webinars Webinars
Peer Learning: Fostering MLs’ Oral Language Development and Content Understanding Peer Learning: Fostering MLs’ Oral Language Development and Content Understanding
This webinar deep dives into fostering Multilingual Learners’ oral language and content understanding. In this webinar, we will:
• Discuss why peer learning opportunities are essential to MLs’ oral language development and understanding of content.
• Explore four key practices for fostering MLs’ engagement and participation in peer learning activities.
• Apply peer learning tools and strategies to your work with MLs in your context.
• Gain access to a Padlet of free tools and resources.
Supporting ELs' Oral Language Development Supporting ELs' Oral Language Development
Supporting ELs’ Oral Language Development Through Academic Conversations webinar dives into topics such as why oral language activities are beneficial to ELs, practices for supporting ELs’ engagement and participation in academic conversations, and different types of oral language activities that you can implement in your classroom with guest co-host and EL expert, Emily Francis.
Presenters: Diane Staehr Fenner, Emily Francis and Jill Kester
Articles Articles
Sep/23
Elevating Peer Learning to Foster Multilingual Learners’ Oral Language Development and Content Understanding
Jan/23
Peer Learning: Fostering Multilingual Learners’ (MLs’) Oral Language Development and Content Understanding
Feb/19