Ways to Supplement the Verbal Presentation of a Lesson

English learners, and students in general, are more likely to comprehend a concept when that concept is contextualized. This means that the concept is reinforced through the use of media, realia, manipulatives and human resources. Take a look around your classroom and see if you have plenty of visuals to help reinforce the lessons you are currently teaching. Here are some items to help you do this:

Object Resources

• Picture files
• Maps and Globes
• Charts and posters
• Printed material such as illustrated books, catalogs, and magazines
• Puzzles
• Science equipment
• Manipulatives such as M&Ms, buttons, tongue depressors, and gummy bears
• Costumes
• Computer software
• Internet

Human Resources

• Cooperative groups
• Pairs
• Cross-age tutors
• Heterogeneous groups
• Community resource people
• School resource people
• Parents 
• Pen pals (adult and child)
• Keypals

These suggestions come from the Diaz-Rico/Weed text The Crosscultural, Language, and Academic Development Handbook