What role do collaborative learning activities play in supporting ELLs?

Collaborative learning activities are particularly beneficial for English Language Learners (ELLs) because they create an environment that fosters social interaction and facilitates language practice. Engaging in group activities encourages students to communicate with peers, share ideas, and negotiate meaning, which are essential components of language acquisition.

Through collaboration, ELLs have the opportunity to hear diverse language use, practice speaking and listening in a supportive setting, and gain confidence as they engage with language in a real-world context. This social interaction helps them develop their language skills more organically, as they can experiment with vocabulary and grammar in a low-pressure situation while also receiving immediate feedback from their peers.

Unlike options that suggest reducing the need for scaffolding, focusing on competition, or concentrating solely on mechanical aspects of language, collaborative activities integrate language learning with social skills, making them a holistic approach that aligns well with the needs of ELLs. They emphasize the importance of building language proficiency through interaction rather than isolating language mechanics from practical use.