Testing Accommodations for ELLs

Testing can be stressful for any student, especially English Language Learners. There are some strategies that a teacher can use to help his or her students feel more comfortable and to help them perform better.

1.      Make the language understandable. The teacher can restate the question or break down difficult passages.

2.      Give them more time to take the test.

3.      Read the test to the student and permit them to respond orally.

4.      Give the test in their native language, if possible. This will assess their content knowledge.

5.      Allow the student to use spell check on essay tests.

6.      Reduce the number of questions on a test.

7.      Provide a work bank for fill in the blank questions.

8.      Interpret idioms.

9.      Simplify directions and make sure the student understands them.