Advanced

Typical Characteristics of the Advanced Language Learner

• Participates in social and academic conversations with some pauses to restate, repeat, or search for words
• Speaks in some detail on familiar topics
• Able to write in some detail on familiar topics
• Uses increasingly complex sentence structures in the present, past, and future tenses
• Occasional dependence on visuals, verbal cues, and gestures
• May still pause and search for words
• Participates in group discussions on familiar and unfamiliar topics, through visuals, verbal cues, gestures to support understanding
• Can identify main points and most important details
• Requests clarification when needed

(Adapted from Jameson, 1998; Texas Education Agency, 2006b.)

Some Suggested Strategies (in addition to those introduced in previous levels)

• Continue to scaffold lessons by making them comprehensible and interactive.
• Continue to use graphic organizers such as charts, tables, graphs related to math content, and other conceptual visual aids. Examples: Frayer Model, Bubble map, Venn Diagram, and other strategies identified in previous level as needed to support the learner and provide opportunities for success.
• Actively teach thinking and study skills.
• Have students design questions, directions, and activities for others to follow.
• Encourage solo reading.
• Continue to provide structured response stems to open-ended questions.
• Support abstract thinking.
• Provide increased opportunities for writing.
• Foster increased development of higher order thinking skills.