How does sheltered English instruction intersect with school initiatives, curricular programs, and professional development plans?
Sheltered instruction is an approach to teaching English language learners. While not a program in itself, sheltered instruction extends the time in which students participate in instruction that explicitly provides language support as well as standards-based content instruction. Sheltered instruction also teaches ELLs how to perform academic tasks, such as writing outlines and making presentations. This focus on building knowledge of academic language, content, and performance helps prepare English language learners for non-sheltered classes, in which they will be expected to achieve to high academic standards alongside their English-speaking peers, a goal of NCLB. The SIOP Observation Protocol provides teachers with a model of sheltered instruction designed to enhance teachers’ practice. The SIOP may be used to enhance other initiatives supporting ELLs or all students. It has become the basis of professional development efforts for teachers of ELLs across the United States. To prepar
