Which practice best supports English language learners in instruction and assessment?

• A. Avoid visuals to simplify assessment.
• B. Translate every task into students' first languages for all activities.
• C. Provide language supports, visuals, explicit vocabulary instruction, peer collaboration, and opportunities for meaningful language use.
• D. Grade ELLs using the same rubric without accommodations.

Answer: (C)

Supporting English language learners in instruction and assessment hinges on giving access to content while developing language skills. Providing language supports, visuals, explicit vocabulary instruction, peer collaboration, and opportunities for meaningful language use helps students understand concepts and demonstrate understanding in authentic ways. Visuals clarify meaning and reduce cognitive load; explicit vocabulary instruction ensures students know essential academic terms; language supports and sentence frames aid both comprehension and expression; peer collaboration offers practice with language in a social context and exposure to more proficient language use; and meaningful language use gives students authentic formats to apply what they’ve learned.

In contrast, avoiding visuals limits access to meaning, translating every task into a first language can reduce exposure to academic English and independent language development, and grading without accommodations undermines fairness and accurately gauging content mastery for English learners. Together, the chosen approach aligns with best practices for making instruction and assessment equitable and effective for ELLs.