Equipping ELLs

Welcome back to the Equipping ELLs podcast! As we count down to our 200th episode, we're celebrating YOU, our amazing community, with top-loved episodes and exciting giveaways. This week, we’re revisiting a listener favorite that’s packed with actionable advice: how to effectively prepare your students, colleagues, and yourself for ACCESS testing season.In this episode, Beth Vaucher, founder of Inspiring Young Learners, shares a deeply practical and encouraging guide for navigating the often overwhelming ACCESS testing period. Whether you're a new or experienced ELL teacher, you'll find clarity and confidence in these simple but impactful strategies. Learn how to prepare your students without spending weeks on test prep, why the format matters more than the content, and how to build confidence and calm in your classroom.You'll also discover tips for helping students feel valued beyond their test scores, from visual prep to self-affirming activities that boost morale. Beth dives into how to effectively communicate with homeroom teachers and parents, including using pre-made templates and WIDA-translated letters. Plus, she shares tech setup tips, scheduling strategies, and how to keep your own mental health in check during this intense season.Whether you’re testing digitally or on paper, you’ll walk away with resources, tools, and mindset shifts to make ACCESS season smoother and more successful. Don’t miss the free Access Testing Guide available in the show notes—it's filled with email templates, editable notes home, and more time-saving tools.Why traditional test prep isn’t the answer for ELLsThe role of format familiarity and technology readinessCollaboration strategies with homeroom teachersVisuals and communication tips for students and familiesSelf-care and schedule planning for teachers🎁 Don’t forget to enter our giveaway by reviewing the podcast, taking a screenshot, and sending it via Instagram @equippingELLs or email at hello@equippingells.com. Each review enters you for weekly gift cards and a chance to win a $200 Amazon grand prize!Resources: ⁠⁠⁠Join the Equipping ELLs MembershipShop our TpT StoreTranslated Connection Letters: Access Testing for Parents of ELLsFREE Access Testing Guide

In this special lead-up to the 200th episode of the Equipping ELLs podcast, host Beth Vaucher dives into one of the most requested and transformational topics for educators of multilingual learners—how to build practical, effective routines to strengthen all four language domains: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Whether you're new to supporting English Language Learners or a seasoned ELL specialist, this episode is filled with immediately applicable strategies that will streamline your planning and empower your students.Beth breaks down the importance of focusing on each language domain and how they connect to real classroom success. She shares research-backed insights that explain why active listening is the foundation for language acquisition, and why pre-listening strategies can dramatically improve comprehension. She then reveals a simple yet powerful speaking routine using picture prompts that not only promotes daily oral language practice but builds vocabulary and confidence in a safe, engaging environment.When it comes to reading, Beth emphasizes the need to front-load vocabulary—especially Tier 2 words—and gives clear guidance on how to select which words to pre-teach for maximum impact. Writing doesn’t get left behind—she introduces the fun and collaborative “Strengthen a Sentence” routine that makes writing less intimidating and more interactive for ELL students at all levels.The episode wraps up with a practical walkthrough of how to integrate all four language domains into one cohesive lesson using a single anchor text. From read-alouds to conversation cards to scaffolded writing prompts, Beth outlines a plug-and-play structure that ensures your lessons are both academically rich and language supportive.Listeners are also invited to celebrate the podcast’s 200th episode with a special giveaway—weekly $20 Teachers Pay Teachers gift cards and a $200 Amazon grand prize. To enter, simply leave a review on your favorite platform, screenshot it, and send it to @equippingELLs on Instagram or email hello@equippingells.com.If you're looking for done-for-you resources that align with this episode, check out the Unlocking Language Through Read Alouds bundle, or grab the free domain-by-level expectation charts in the show notes. Whether you teach newcomers or advanced multilingual learners, this episode is your step-by-step guide to empowering every student with intentional, high-impact routines. Don’t forget to leave a review and enter the giveaway before October 24th!Links and Resources:Sign Up for the FREE Webinar⁠⁠⁠Join the Equipping ELLs Membership Shop our TpT Store

Are your ELL students falling behind—even when you're doing everything you can to support them?Welcome back to the Equipping ELLs Podcast! In this insightful episode, host Beth Vaucher breaks down the six most common mistakes educators make when working with English Language Learners (ELLs)—and, more importantly, how to avoid them. As the school year begins, this is the perfect time for reflection and adjustment. Whether you're a seasoned ESL teacher or new to supporting multilingual learners, this episode provides practical, actionable advice to transform your teaching mindset and classroom practices.Beth emphasizes that intention, not perfection, is key to successful ELL instruction. She unpacks the dangers of waiting too long to involve ELLs in meaningful classroom work, explaining why full participation from day one matters. Listeners will gain strategies for scaffolding content, using visuals, and engaging newcomers without isolating them.Another crucial point discussed is the "silent period"—a misunderstood phase where students are actively learning despite not speaking. Beth offers reassurance and practical tools to support these learners without forcing premature speaking. The episode also dives into the importance of understanding language levels and how misinterpretation can lead to either too much or too little support.Beth addresses the reality many teachers face: trying to figure it all out alone. She underscores the power of community and collaboration and shares resources like the Equipping ELLs membership and active online communities. Another major misconception? Treating all ELLs as a homogenous group. Beth urges educators to go beyond labels and use student profiles to plan more purposefully.Finally, she reframes language development as a whole-school responsibility, reminding us that every teacher is a language teacher—regardless of subject. This episode is full of encouragement, real talk, and empowering tools for teachers who want to help their ELLs not just survive, but thrive.Don't miss Beth’s call to action to join the Equipping ELLs membership, now offering 20% off with the code EQUIP20. Plus, discover how to access free tools, training webinars, and community support to elevate your ELL teaching game.If you found this episode helpful, please leave a review and share it with a fellow educator who supports English learners. Your support helps amplify best practices in ELL education. Tune in now and empower your classroom for success!Links and Resources:Sign Up for the FREE Webinar⁠⁠⁠Join the Equipping ELLs Membership Shop our TpT Store

Do you ever feel like your lesson plans are just a collection of random activities—fun in the moment but not really building toward anything? You’re not alone. Many teachers, especially those working with English language learners, find themselves overwhelmed trying to fit in every domain, standard, and activity into a short block of time. The result? Lessons that feel scattered, students who walk away unclear on the purpose, and a teacher who’s left wondering if any of it really stuck.In this episode of Equipping ELLs, Beth Vaucher shares a simple yet powerful framework to bring clarity and direction back into your teaching. She calls it your GPS: Goal, Personalize, Scaffold. By asking three quick questions before you plan, you can transform your lessons from disconnected to intentional, ensuring every activity builds toward language growth and student success.Beth breaks down how to set a clear goal for each lesson, why personalization is the secret ingredient to boosting student engagement, and how to choose scaffolds that support without holding students back. You’ll also hear practical examples—from using tortillas to teach main idea to tying ecosystems to students’ own neighborhoods—that show just how simple (and powerful) these strategies can be.Whether you’re planning tomorrow’s lesson or mapping out a unit, this GPS system will keep your teaching aligned, purposeful, and student-centered all year long.LINKS AND RESOURCES:Sign Up for the FREE Webinar⁠⁠⁠Join the Equipping ELLs Membership Shop our TpT Store

Are you feeling overwhelmed by all the paperwork that comes with assessing and tracking your English learners? You’re not alone. Many ELL teachers ask the same questions: How do I assess my students without drowning in forms? How do I keep track of their growth in a way that’s meaningful and sustainable?In this episode of the Equipping ELLs Podcast, Beth breaks down the three essential tracking systems every ELL teacher needs to stay organized and support student success—all without adding extra stress to your workload. She shares simple, practical tools you can start using right away to monitor growth, set goals, and clearly show progress to students, parents, and administrators.You’ll learn how to:Use quarterly progress monitoring for consistent snapshots of student growth.Implement generic rubrics that work across assignments and grade levels, making it easier to measure language development and communicate goals.Build language portfolios that tell the powerful story of each student’s growth through their own work samples.Beth also explains where WIDA standards fit into all of this—helping you move from “Where are my students now?” to “Where should they go next?” She walks through her FAST framework to simplify lesson planning with WIDA.Ready to put this into action? Here are some resources mentioned in today’s episode:Free Generic Rubrics → DM the word rubrics to Equipping ELLs on instagram to get your free set.Simplified WIDA Can-Do Descriptors Guide → Download it for free.Equipping ELLs Membership → Access all the tools, resources, and support you need for K–12, all language levels, and all domains at www.equippingells.com. Use code EQUIP20 to take 20% off the yearly membership.Digital Portfolios with Kelly → Listen Here.By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear path to tracking progress that not only saves your sanity but also builds student confidence and guides meaningful instruction.

Should you translate everything for your English Language Learners?Overusing translation can actually slow down language acquisition and create over-dependence on students' first language.In this episode, Beth breaks down when translation becomes a barrier and when it can be a powerful support. You'll hear real classroom examples that show the difference — like how a moment of intentional translation helped a student feel included, and how translating every direction can overwhelm both students and teachers.She outlines key times when translation is essential — such as communicating with families, supporting newcomers emotionally, and helping students understand routines or vocabulary. You'll also learn how to support intermediate students who hit a learning plateau by using translation to build academic vocabulary and improve writing and speaking fluency.Beth shares practical ways to use translation across all four language domains — listening, speaking, reading, and writing — and emphasizes that translation should be used as a scaffold, not a crutch.This episode also highlights some of the most effective translation tools available today, including TalkingPoints, Microsoft Translator, SayHi, and more. You’ll walk away with strategies that balance support and language growth — helping your students thrive in English while honoring their native language.Don’t forget to grab your free chart linked below! Join the Equipping ELLs membership and use code EQUIP20 to save 20% on the Tier 3 yearly plan.Links and Resources:Sign Up for the FREE Webinar⁠⁠⁠Join the Equipping ELLs Membership Shop our TpT StoreDownload the "To Translate or Not to Translate" Resource!

Are your multilingual learners fluent in conversation but still struggling with academic content?In this episode of the Equipping ELLs podcast, host Beth Vaucher speaks with Beth Skelton and Tan Huynh, authors of Long-Term Success for Experienced Multilinguals, to unpack why fluency isn’t the finish line—and how educators can better support multilingual students who’ve been in language programs for years.Beth and Tan introduce a powerful shift in mindset: replacing the limiting label of “long-term English learner” with “experienced multilingual.” This simple but meaningful change recognizes students’ strengths and reframes how teachers approach instruction. Tan shares his personal story as a former English learner in the U.S. system, offering firsthand insight into the gaps students face when academic language isn’t explicitly taught.Educators will walk away with practical strategies rooted in their “Orchard Framework”—a planning model that helps teachers align content and language goals from the start. The episode also previews their upcoming book for ELD teachers, offering actionable guidance for integrating reading, writing, speaking, and listening across all subjects.This episode is a must-listen for teachers, coaches, and specialists ready to move beyond surface-level support and build language-rich classrooms where all students can thrive. Don’t miss it.Links and Resources:Long Term Success for Experienced Multilinguals BOOK!Connect with BethConnect with TanSign Up for the FREE Webinar⁠⁠⁠Join the Equipping ELLs Membership Shop our TpT Store

Are you spending hours planning ELL lessons that your students don’t even seem to retain?Welcome back to the Equipping ELLs Podcast — the space where we take the overwhelm out of teaching English language learners and replace it with clarity, strategy, and confidence. In this episode, host Beth Vaucher dives deep into the common time wasters ELL teachers encounter during lesson planning — and what to do instead to reclaim your time without compromising student success.If you’re spending hours planning beautiful slides, customizing lessons for each language level, or trying to retrofit a one-size-fits-all curriculum, you’re not alone — but it doesn’t have to be that way. Beth breaks down five major time-wasting habits and provides practical, proven alternatives that save time and increase impact.You’ll learn how to:Use editable slide templates that speed up prep without sacrificing qualityPlan one strong lesson with scaffolded access points instead of three separate onesFocus on what your ELL students need rather than forcing a general curriculum to fitChoose one intentional focus per lesson, not cram every domain into 30 minutesReplace busy work with interactive, language-rich activities that truly build skillsBeth also shares insight into effective systems — not just strategies — that lead to better routines, faster planning, and more confident teaching. From using the WIDA Can Do Descriptors to plugging into ready-to-go resources inside the Equipping ELLs Membership, this episode is full of takeaways you can apply right away.🎧 Whether you're a new teacher overwhelmed by where to start, or a veteran educator ready to streamline your approach, this episode will leave you feeling empowered to teach what matters most.👉 Want to go even deeper? Sign up for the free webinar "From Overwhelmed to On Track" by messaging the word webinar to @equipping.ells on Instagram or join at the link below.💡 Plus, as a thank you for listening, use code TAKE10OFF for 10% off your Tier 3 monthly or yearly membership at Equipping ELLs.LINKS AND RESOURCES:Sign Up for the FREE Webinar⁠⁠⁠Join the Equipping ELLs Membership Shop our TpT Store

In this episode of the Equipping ELLs Podcast, host Beth Vaucher is joined by renowned educator and language planning expert Kelly Reider for a deep dive into the world of functional language planning—a critical but often misunderstood approach to supporting multilingual learners in today’s classrooms.With over 30 years of experience in education, Kelly shares how her journey from classroom teacher to district coordinator and national facilitator helped her shape a better way of aligning language development with content instruction. Together, Beth and Kelly explore the challenges educators face when planning for diverse learners, especially when co-teaching or pushing into content-area classrooms with limited prep time.Kelly breaks down the five core principles of functional language planning, rooted in Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL), offering a practical, research-based alternative to traditional grammar-focused approaches. She emphasizes a context-driven, flexible planning model that helps teachers support student communication and academic achievement, regardless of curriculum changes or language levels.Listeners will learn how functional language planning:Prioritizes real-time, context-based language needsShifts from "what to teach" to "what students need to do with language"Incorporates grammar as a tool for meaning-making, not an isolated objectiveEmpowers teachers to model, scaffold, and practice target language structures with studentsSimplifies planning through backwards design and alignment toolsBeth and Kelly also discuss the importance of student talk time, explicit modeling, and peer-to-peer interaction as foundational strategies that help students internalize and apply academic language in meaningful ways.This episode isn’t just theory—it’s full of actionable insights. Whether you're a general education teacher, ESL specialist, or instructional coach, you’ll walk away with a renewed sense of what’s possible when we make language visible, intentional, and functional for multilingual learners.🎓 Resources Mentioned:https://www.englishlearnerportal.com @EngLrnPortal on X @englishlearnerportal on Instagramhttps://www.facebook.com/englishlearnerportal https://www.youtube.com/@englishlearnerportal235 https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-reider-7595a747/Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show! Your feedback helps us grow this supportive community of educators who are equipping ELLs to thrive.

Has differentiation always felt like the most overwhelming part of your lesson plan?host Beth Vaucher dives deep into one of the most pressing challenges educators face: how to differentiate instruction for English Language Learners (ELLs) without feeling overwhelmed. This episode unpacks a practical, three-step framework that empowers teachers to support students at all language levels while maintaining a single, streamlined lesson plan. If you've ever found yourself stressed trying to create five versions of the same lesson or unsure what differentiation even means for language learners, this episode offers immediate relief and clarity.Beth begins by validating the very real struggle teachers face when juggling multiple proficiency levels, language domains, and curriculum expectations. Instead of overcomplicating things, she shows educators how to start with language data—such as WIDA levels and can-do descriptors—and plan intentionally based on what students can do. You’ll learn why understanding these levels and aligning expectations accordingly builds both student confidence and academic progress.The episode then explores how to maintain one strong content objective and simply scaffold supports based on student needs. From tiered vocabulary cards to sentence stems and visual aids, Beth outlines easy-to-implement tools that unlock content without requiring multiple lessons. Finally, she walks through how to differentiate the output, not the content, so all students can meet the objective in a way that matches their language level—from labeling visuals to writing structured paragraphs.Beth also models how this approach works in a real lesson, using anchor texts like videos or read-alouds to engage all learners. Whether it’s small group work tailored by proficiency or scaffolded writing routines, this method reduces teacher workload while increasing student engagement. The result is a classroom where ELLs grow in both language skills and confidence.Listeners are encouraged to download the simplified can-do descriptors and explore the full range of read-alouds, scaffolds, and writing routines available inside the Equipping ELLs membership. Beth reminds educators that differentiation doesn’t have to be exhausting—it can be simple, effective, and even enjoyable.If you’re ready to support your ELLs with clarity and consistency, this episode will become your go-to guide for creating an inclusive and empowering classroom environment.LINKS AND RESOURCES:WIDA Can Do Descriptors Simplified!Sign Up for the FREE Webinar⁠⁠⁠Join the Equipping ELLs Membership Shop our TpT Store