Renzulli Learning’s asset-based approach allows emergent bilinguals to explore, discover, learn, and create projects and activities in their home and target language. All teachers can complement language instruction in content-based activities following these basic tasks:
1. Highlight the language used in the presented content: ask students to identify new words or phrases. Some activities already have a list of new words that students can use to start. You can also use the following questions to bring students’ attention to language features:
a. What are the new words or phrases you see in this content?
b. How do we use this word/phrase?
c. How do we pronounce it?
d. How do we spell it?
e. How would you say it in your home language?
f. Are there any other ways of using this word?
g. Is it similar to another word/phrase you already use?
h. Does it seem to be appropriate in formal or informal contexts?
i. Can you provide an example using the word/phrase with your own words?
2. Help students identify what they already know: ask students to identify the language features they already know so they can make connections to the new content. If they know it in their home language, they can make the connection to learn it in English. If they know it in English, ask them to also try to translate it to their home language to reinforce that both languages are equally important. Students can track their language assets using the “My Notes” feature as they progress with different enrichment activities and projects.
By focusing on their assets rather than their challenges, the learning process will be more meaningful, and students will be able to visualize their progress.