Daily
classroom experiences motivate children to learn and use language. As
they play together throughout the day, children serve as peer models
for each other. Small-group work and free-play activities are excellent
opportunities to pair young English language learners with more proficient
or native English speakers. Even if a child is reluctant to speak, she/he
can still benefit by interacting with other children and engaging in
situations of interest. The verbal productions
of English speaking peers can model English expression and language structures
for English language learners.
