Reading fluency and ELLs

[RachelGrace]

What are some of the common difficulties ELLs have in learning to read English as a second language? What do they get hung up on the most? (Grammar, syntax, idioms, word order etc.)
When teaching ELLs, what are some techniques/methods that work best when teaching young(elem. to middle school) ELLs to read?

[Esgaleth]

Word-for-word translation is the worst thing that could ever happen and which has no mercy for grammar, syntax, idioms or whatever. It might depend on the difference between the two languages and the reading culture in L1.

In case with young learners and teenagers the right choice of topics may be crucial. Apart from these issues, prediction before reading, 1st skimming/scanning followed by a bit of general discussion, reading for particular information with discussion in pairs, personalising the topic and class feedback, reading games like jig-saw reading, cipher messages, peer proof-reading, working out the clues in treasure hunt...

ps. most important is good timing - that is not to spare too much time on wading through the text and on the other hand to be reasonably patient and quiet! while the students are reading

pps. questionnaires of various sorts, especially funny ones, can also stir up reading interest

[RachelGrace]

Thank you! Just out of curiosity, have you had experience with teaching English to Spanish-speaking students?

[Tdol]

Language background can make a huge difference- coming from a Roman alphabet language background is very different from having to learn it.

[Esgaleth]

Thank you! Just out of curiosity, have you had experience with teaching English to Spanish-speaking students?

No. I know nothing about the typical difficulties Spanish-speaking students may encounter. I wonder if they are different from the ones we have here.

Language background can make a huge difference- coming from a Roman alphabet language background is very different from having to learn it.

Absolutely. Cultural background could also matter, I should think.