What is a common approach to helping ELL students make connections to new material?

Connecting to prior knowledge is vital for helping English Language Learner (ELL) students make connections to new material because it builds on the experiences and understanding they already possess. When educators relate new content to students' existing knowledge, it creates a more meaningful context for learning. This practice helps ELL students grasp new concepts more effectively, as they can draw parallels between what they already know and the new information being introduced.

By activating prior knowledge, teachers can make lessons more relevant and engaging, fostering a deeper understanding of the material. This approach also supports language acquisition, as students can use familiar vocabulary and concepts as a bridge to learn new words and ideas related to the content.