English Language Learner (ELL) Support
English Language Learner (ELL) Support
The Student Success Center offers support to PC students who are non-native English speakers by helping them navigate cultural and linguistic intricacies. Amori Washington, ELL/Academic Skills Specialist, serves as a liaison with various campus partners to provide holistic support network for non-native English speakers. Through one-on-one instruction with our ELL Specialist, students can focus on improvement in the following areas:
Language and Communication
- Strategies to assist in understanding Academic English
- Active listening skills
- Speaking skills, including clarity, fluidity and pronunciation
- Writing skills, including grammar, mechanics, organization and writing style
- Vocabulary building
Culture
- U.S. college structure
- Higher education expectations
Students can choose to make single or recurring appointments. Those who make ongoing appointments will work with the ELL Specialist to determine goals for future sessions.
For more information please contact Amori Washington, ELL/Academic Skills Specialist or schedule an appointment.
Faculty FAQs
Who is considered an English Language Learner (ELL) at our institution?
ELLs are multilingual students who are developing academic and social English language proficiency. They may be international students, permanent residents, or domestic students.
What resources exist across campus for English Language Learners (ELLs)?
Student Success Center – ELL Specialist: Provides individualized support to help students navigate linguistic and cultural aspects of academic life.
Writing Center and Christie Family Tutoring Center: Offers trained peer tutors for writing and content support for students who identify as ELL.
Providence College Library: Can provide translated versions of course readings, summaries, and dictionaries upon request.
How do I appropriately refer a student to ELL support?
Invite the student to meet with you if you suspect language-related challenges.
Ask about their perception of their performance and difficulties.
Use the academic referral form to connect the student with the ELL specialist for additional support.
How can I tell if a student is struggling because of language or because they don’t understand the content?
Look for patterns:
- For example, if a student’s ideas are strong but sentences are unclear, language may be the barrier.
- Consider low-stakes check-ins or one-on-one conferences to clarify the source difficulty.
What strategies can I use to support ELLs in my classroom without redesigning my entire course?
- Clearly state academic expectations.
- Create detailed, accessible syllabi and referencing them often.
- Promoting office hours as a resource for one-on-one support.
- Offering models or detailed examples.
- Breaking larger assignments into smaller steps.
- Allowing students to brainstorm in their first language.
- Using visuals, charts, and graphic organizers.
- Encouraging peer support and collaborative learning.
- Avoiding assumptions that academic, cultural, and linguistic norms are known (e.g., class participation, plagiarism, appropriate ways to address professors).
- Providing both written and verbal instructions.
How can I make class discussions more inclusive for ELLs?
- Give students time to process before responding.
- Allow Alternative formats, such as small groups or written reflections.
- Encourage multiple ways of participating (chat, discussion boards, written expression).
What should I avoid when working with ELLs?
- Assuming lack of ability based on language proficiency.
- Speaking louder instead of speaking clearly.
- Using idioms, jokes, or cultural references without explanation.
Academic Support Services
Phillips Memorial Library, Room 250
401.865.2494
ssc@providence.edu
