Many educators who work with English-language learners (ELL) with learning difficulties are unable to speak their students' native language. Daily, these teachers are faced with the challenge of how to provide high-quality instruction to their students. There are many effective strategies and procedures for providing learning opportunities for these students, even when the teacher doesn't speak their native language.

The strategies below are excerpted from Teaching English-Language Learners with Learning Difficulties, a Council for Exceptional Children publication.

	In This Issue What Is Comprehensible Input? A critical concept for second-language development in students with or without learning difficulties is comprehensible input – students' being able to understand the essence of what is being said or presented to them. What Is Meaningful Access to the General Curriculum? The purpose of providing comprehensible input to English-language learners with learning difficulties is to ensure that instruction deals with grade-appropriate content, concepts, and skills. Problems in Trying to Provide Meaningful Access Through Comprehensible Input In thinking about curriculum access for English-language learners, the important goal is that students understand the critical concepts being presented, rather than knowing the correct English label for a particular concept. Approaches to Increasing Meaningful Access Through Comprehensible Input Providing curriculum access does not absolve districts of their responsibility to teach students how to read and develop other core academic skills. Below-grade material can be used if doing so better assists students in learning a core academic objective. Teaching Academic Language Successful educators of English-language learners with learning difficulties understand that demonstrating language proficiency depends heavily on contextual factors. Useful Initial Teaching Strategies Steps to help you prepare the right kind of instructional environment for English-language learners with learning difficulties. What Teachers Can Do to Provide Meaningful Access to the General Curriculum A list of several key instructional principles, which can be used with English-language learners with learning difficulties.

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	The Council for Exceptional Children Books on English-Language Learners Multicultural Gifted Education This resource focuses on raising the expectations and level of instruction for gifted minority students. Suggests methods for best practice, provides sample activities, offers guidelines and a checklist for evaluating programs. Bridges the gap between gifted education and multicultural education. Multiple Voices for Ethnically Diverse Exceptional Learners This publication includes research, theory, and experiences that focus on the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Teaching English-Language Learners with Learning Difficulties Practical information for those working in schools that are just beginning to provide services to English-language learners. Family Education Network Books on English-Language Learners Active Learning for Children with Disabilities A comprehensive guide to the most common intellectual, achievement, perceptual, and language tests used in special education, as well as rating and adaptive behavior scales. Balanced Reading Strategies and Practices: Assessing and Assisting Readers with Special Needs Featuring information on assessment tools and detailed instructional strategies, this book explains all the steps needed to successfully implement a Balanced Literacy Program. Language and Reading Disabilities This much-needed book can help educators, special educators, speech pathologists, reading and language instructors, curriculum specialists, and parents identify, assess, and treat reading and writing disorders.