The language that a student brings to school with them and is then built on
Vocabulary
Use words they already know and then build upon them through books read in class and homework
CALP
Can take up to 5 years for Second Language students to catch up to first language learners
This bridge can be gapped by teachers taking note of students falling behind and working with them one on one with reading and other materials
Early
Language acquired before school
Jim Cummins
Universal
Verbs
Nouns
Adjectives
Chomsky
Language nuance's might differ, but you can build on a students knowledge of parts of speech from their own language
Introducing articles to some Second Language Learners might be necessary
Writing
Basics
What you use in daily life, texting, casual, emails, notes
Academic
Professional papers
Professional Emails
Cummins
Teach students how to improve their paper writing skills
Workshops with other students of English First Language
Giving them examples of well written papers to compare theirs to
Strategies
Questions
Ask many different kinds, yes/no, and comprehensive
Gestures
Open book when you tell students to do the same
Robertson/Ford
When asking questions of your students be sure that they can answer them in multiple ways to ensure every student can respond.
Fluency
Early
Just beginning to talk and acquire the language
Late
Picking things up from their environment
Advanced
Full understanding of the language like a first language learner
Robertson/Ford
Bridging fluency in an English classroom will be something that can be something to easily bridge since focusing on becoming fluent readers and writers is key
We all learn the same
Comprehensive input
Understanding
Cummins
Developing Literacy
First Language
Discrete language skills
Krashen
Since we all learn the same, teaching students we should keep that mentality and help them to reach the same level.