Practical Strategies for Teaching Multilingual Students in Your Classroom
Posted by anne.grey
Presenter: Tim Krause & Elizebett Eslinger
Summary
Approximately 30% of Portland Community College students speak a language other than English at home. In this CTLE session, ESOL instructors Tim Krause and Elizebett Eslinger share low-barrier, high-impact teaching strategies designed to help faculty across all academic disciplines support multilingual learners.
Through interactive simulation exercises, the presenters show how complex jargon, unexplained acronyms, and rapid verbal-only instructions can create barriers for students. They outline practical teaching adjustments—such as pairing written text with spoken directions, scaffolding complex tasks, offering extra processing time, and using visual graphics—that significantly improve comprehension for non-native English speakers while benefiting all students.
The session also highlights findings from a survey of former PCC ESOL students, offering direct student perspectives on what helps them succeed in general college courses. Key takeaways emphasize avoiding idioms, fostering peer collaboration, and helping students navigate the culture and unspoken expectations of higher education in the United States.
Presentation Slides: Practical Strategies for Teaching Multilingual Students in Your Classroom Presentation Slides
Learning Outcomes
After reviewing this post and presentation, faculty will be able to:
- Identify common learning and communication challenges faced by multilingual students in college classrooms.
- Implement universal design strategies, including multi-modal instructions (written and spoken) and visual supports.
- Scaffold classroom assignments and activities to build confidence and deeper comprehension.
- Recognize and minimize academic jargon, cultural idioms, and assumed background knowledge that create learning barriers.
- Foster an inclusive classroom environment that encourages peer collaboration and active question-asking.
Post generated by CTLE Web Designer Gem on 08/16/2026