Welcome to Mrs. Mattice’s English Language Learners (ELL) Page

Hello!  My name is Pam Mattice.  I have been teaching at Pleasantdale Elementary and Middle Schools for almost 17 years as an ELL teacher.  I received my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois.  After that, I obtained my endorsement in ESL through National Louis University based in the Chicagoland area.  I continued my education at National Louis University and received my master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction.   I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching many ELL students throughout the years here at Pleasantdale School District.  My students come from various cultural backgrounds and speak languages, such as Lithuanian, Macedonian, Arabic, Chinese, Serbian, Greek, Spanish, and Russian. My job is to support their English language skills in the areas of speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

 

Here are some great free resources:

English 4 Kids - ESL kids Lab offers: Printable ESL Worksheets, Games for ESL Classrooms, EFL Videos, PPT Lessons Videos, Interactive Kids Vocabulary & Grammar Quizzes, Powerpoint downloads for English teaching and learning.

ESL Galaxy - An ESL/EFL Lesson Plan & Teaching Resource Portal

ESL Kids - ESL stuff for kids including flashcards, worksheets, classroom games and children's song lyrics.

ESL Kids Lab - Provides English (ESL, EFL, ELT, ESOL) learning and teaching materials for young learners, preschool, beginners, elementary and pre-intermediate.

MES Games - Flash games for ESL / EFL students.

ELL Program

Pleasantdale School District offers a TPI (Transitional Program of Instruction) for the limited English proficient student. This program teaches non-English and low-English proficient students' oral language skills and literacy skills. We teach English in the areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The TPI program bases it's philosophy on the Natural Approach where language is acquired in an environment that is language rich and where communication is meaningful in a nurturing setting.

The ELL (English Language Learner) student learns the English language in a variety of teaching methods and strategies. TPR (Total Physical Response) is one method where the students learn the English vocabulary by doing activities through physical movements. Picture cards, songs, chants, books, and hands-on activities are some of the other forms of instruction that are used. The sessions are provided with the classroom teachers to integrate thematic units and skills for the LEP students.

Pleasantdale School District enrolls ELL students whose limited English proficient languages include Albanian, Arabic, Armenian, Bulgarian, Polish, Russian, Serbian, and Spanish. The ELL program differs from a bilingual program because English is the only form of instruction. With the bilingual program, instruction is taught in English and the native language.

(updated 04/20/10)