HELP Program Instructional Pedagogy

• HELP Instructional Pedagogy
  HELP employs a research-based pedagogy for teaching ELLs mathematics and other academic content that had proved effective in a classroom setting. This instructional methodology is called Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol or the SIOP Model (Short & Echevarria, 1999). The sheltered method—devised initially for ELLs—is proving to be increasingly popular with non-ELL teachers and has demonstrated remarkable success with non-ELL students in a classroom setting.
  

• Click here to see a demonstration of the use of sheltered instruction techniques.
  The purpose of this video is to offer the viewer an understanding of what it feels like for a non-native speaker to learn math content in a second language. In this six minute video, Lynda Franco, expert in English language acquisition, takes the listener through a mathematics lesson. The first two minutes of instruction are provided solely in Spanish in a manner typifying teacher-led textbook practice. In the second part of the video, Ms. Franco delivers the same math lesson; however, this time, she uses sheltered instruction techniques to illuminate the content.
  

• HELP Math is the first instructional program to successfully incorporate sheltered instruction practices into a comprehensive academic curriculum using technology.
  HELP’s sheltered instruction is designed to improve a student’s understanding of the content, while simultaneously developing their English language proficiency using specific techniques:

  • Increasing comprehensibility by scaffolding the learning, e.g. breaking down concepts into small, comprehensible “learning chunks”; synchronizing visuals, audio and interactivity.
  • Targeting vocabulary development by emphasizing math content language as well as academic English; available to students as hyperlinked words within the instruction, and within an online dictionary of mathematical terms.
  • Providing bilingual support which offers further student support. Teacher has the option of switching on/off.
  • Explicitly teaching problem-solving and test-taking skills, providing multiple opportunities for student responses and immediate corrective feedback when errors are made. 
• If you would like more information about the National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition and Language Instruction Educational Programs NCELA; please click this link.