How to Use ReadWorks Spanish-English Paired Texts for English Language Learners
ReadWorks Spanish-English paired texts have three components:
There are three steps in the instructional routine for these pairs:
- a Spanish-language passage
- an English-language passage
- a comprehension question set for the English passage
There are three steps in the instructional routine for these pairs:
- Students first read the Spanish-language passage. This passage is about a related topic to the English-language passage; therefore, it builds students’ background knowledge in the language they are more proficient in. Additionally, the Spanish-language passage uses the same key vocabulary words that are in the English-language passage.
- Next, students read the English-language passage with this background knowledge and vocabulary bridging students’ understanding between the passages and easing language barriers.
- Finally, students complete the comprehension question set, which strengthens strategic reading.
Why Use ReadWorks Spanish-English Paired Texts for English Language Learners?
ReadWorks Spanish-English Paired Texts bring together key areas of research to support teachers in leveraging Spanish speakers’ existing language skills. English language learners (ELLs) come into the classroom with a host of language skills. The language they are more proficient in can be used to develop reading comprehension skills because they are transferable across languages. ReadWorks Spanish-English Paired Texts build on the asset of multilingualism and embolden students in their English language development.
Spanish-English Paired Texts support reading comprehension by building background knowledge, growing vocabularies, and strengthening strategic reading. Instead of relying on translation, which is not a strong support on its own, the curated passages help learners make connections between Spanish- and English-language passages. Increased background knowledge about a topic helps students better understand what they are reading, even when the material is above their reading level. This means that developing ELLs’ knowledge in their home language before reading an English-language passage can help them better understand the reading.
ReadWorks Spanish-English Paired Texts stand out from other ELL resources because they are curated with students in mind:
Learn more by attending our upcoming webinar: “Bridging Languages, Building Skills: Harnessing Spanish-English Paired Texts for ELL Success”.
Spanish-English Paired Texts support reading comprehension by building background knowledge, growing vocabularies, and strengthening strategic reading. Instead of relying on translation, which is not a strong support on its own, the curated passages help learners make connections between Spanish- and English-language passages. Increased background knowledge about a topic helps students better understand what they are reading, even when the material is above their reading level. This means that developing ELLs’ knowledge in their home language before reading an English-language passage can help them better understand the reading.
ReadWorks Spanish-English Paired Texts stand out from other ELL resources because they are curated with students in mind:
- Variation in language ability is common among speakers of all languages. Therefore, each passage includes human audio that can be used as a support.
- Many of the Spanish passages are authored by heritage speakers from diverse backgrounds, just like ELLs themselves. This ensures that the passages stay closer to language varieties that students are familiar with, rather than advanced varieties that can create additional barriers.
- ReadWorks Spanish-English Paired Texts help teachers bring ELLs into classroom conversations without taking additional time out of their lessons or planning a separate lesson for them. Teachers can assign the English-language passage(s) to English-proficient students and the Spanish-English Paired Texts to ELLs. These paired texts support oral language development by equipping all students in a classroom with background knowledge on a topic regardless of differences in language proficiency.
Learn more by attending our upcoming webinar: “Bridging Languages, Building Skills: Harnessing Spanish-English Paired Texts for ELL Success”.
