Strategies For Leveraging Learner Assets

Part of an ESL/bilingual specialist's role is to serve as a resource for ELL instruction and support other educators and school staff. Helping to shift deficit-based thinking to asset-based, is a way to offer such support. By guiding others to an asset-based mindset, the ultimate goal is positive outcomes for the language development and academic learning of ELLs. Create a two-page handout for teachers working with ELLs promoting an asset-based approach. Include the following in your handout: Describe the differences between an asset-based and deficit-based approach when working with ELLs. Explain the benefits of an asset-based approach in working with ELLs and their families. Provide at least one example of an asset that an ELL might possess for each of the following areas: linguistic, cultural, experiential, and social-emotional. Discuss two strategies for utilizing the cultural and linguistic assets of ELL families. Describe five instructional strategies to leverage the various assets of ELLs. Support your handout with a minimum of three scholarly resources.