What strategies support English learners in literacy, including sheltered instruction and language supports?

• A. Visual supports, repeated practice, sentence frames, targeted vocabulary, and scaffolds that connect L1 and L2 knowledge.
• B. Focus only on phonics with minimal context.
• C. Avoid visuals.
• D. Translate every word.

Answer: (A)

When teaching English learners, literacy learning works best with strategies that combine visuals, structured language supports, and links between students’ first language and English. Visual supports help students grasp meaning even as they’re still building language, and repeated practice builds speed and accuracy. Sentence frames give students a ready-made structure for speaking and writing, making it easier to express ideas and use academic language consistently. Targeted vocabulary instruction focuses on essential terms and phrases students need in content areas, taught in context so they can see how words work in actual reading and writing situations. Scaffolds that connect L1 and L2 knowledge invite students to draw on what they already know in their first language, supporting comprehension and transfer as new language skills develop. Sheltered instruction combines these supports with clear modeling and explicit language objectives, so students can access grade-level content while strengthening language abilities. Relying only on phonics with little context, avoiding visuals, or translating every word misses the ways students learn language through meaning, structure, and practice.