How do ELL students modify?

Accept printing or cursive
Test key concepts or main ideas
Avoid test questions asking for discrete information
Make a simplified language version of the test
Simplify instructions and rewrite directions at an appropriate reading level
Provide word banks
Allow more time for student to respond if they process information more
slowly in their second language
Give students extra time to complete tests
Provide shorter testing times to prevent exhaustion
Grade content vs. mechanics
Provide students with ideas on test-taking strategies and provide practice
on various testing formats ahead of time
Use fill-in-the-blank procedures rather then essays
Do not place extra words in a matching activity
For multiple choice items, eliminate one or two of the possible answers; avoid “a, b, and c” or “none of the above”
Avoid “pop” quizzes
Make all or part of the exam oral if applicable
Reduce the number of problems on a page
Use a highlighter or marker to identify key words, phrases, or sentences
Outline reading material for the student at his/her reading level, emphasizing main ideas
Tape record directions/tests/quizzes for the student
Tape record material for the student to listen to as he/she reads along
Provide manipulative objects for the student to use when solving math problems

1. Non-verbal

Physical demonstration (paint, gesture, act out, thumbs up/down, nod yes/no)
Pictorial products (manipulate or create drawings, diagrams, dioramas, models, graphs, charts; label pictures; keep a picture journal
KWL Charts using pictures or native language

2.Oral and Written Strategies

Interviews, oral reports, role plays using visual cues, gestures or physical activity
Describing, explaining, summarizing, retelling, paraphrasing
Thinking and learning logs
Reading response logs
Writing assignments
Dialogue journals
Audio or video recordings or students
Portfolios
Creative projects (posters, folded books, other fun ideas to lower anxiety while assessing comprehension and critical thinking)