Language Learner Access
342 Followers
Indiana, United States
About the store
Hi! I’m an English learner myself with over 30 years of experience teaching EFL, ESL, and ELL students in Brazil and the United States. I create classroom-tested ESL and ELL resources that I use in my own middle school classroom to help multilingual learners, newcomers, and English learners access grade-level content with visuals, scaffolds, and vocabulary support.
These resources are designed for ESL classes, newcomer support, intervention, small groups, and core content classrooms. I also share free teaching tips and vocabulary videos on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@crishoward
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ESL Test Prep Vocabulary Bundle | ELL Newcomer Worksheet Packets & Google Slides
Help your English learners understand test questions, directions, and academic vocabulary—so they can confidently choose the correct answers on state tests. This ESL Test Prep Vocabulary Bundle is designed specifically for newcomers and Level 1–2 students, with clear visuals, structured practice, and multiple opportunities to build understanding across speaking, reading, and writing. Instead of guessing, students learn how to interpret test directions, recognize text features, and use essenti
4th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
ELA Test Prep, Reading, Vocabulary
CCSS
L.6.2b
, L.6.4c
, L.6.4d
+3
ELL ESL Test Prep Vocabulary | Test Taking & Text Features Slides for Newcomers
Help your students confidently understand test questions, directions, and text features with this highly scaffolded ELL/ESL test prep digital resource designed specifically for newcomers and multilingual learners. This resource builds essential academic language through reading, speaking, and writing practice, so students can access grade-level content and perform better on assessments. ⭐ What This Resource Focuses On Students learn and practice high-frequency test taking words and text fe
4th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
ELA Test Prep, Reading, Vocabulary
CCSS
L.6.2b
, L.6.4c
, L.6.4d
+3
Test Directions Vocabulary for ELLs | ESL Test Prep Vocabulary Newcomer Slides
Help your students confidently understand test directions and academic commands with this targeted ELL/ESL test prep vocabulary digital resource. Many multilingual learners struggle not because they don’t know the content—but because they don’t understand what the question is asking. This resource teaches students how to interpret common test directions vocabulary so they can successfully respond to assessments. ⭐ What This Resource Teaches Students learn high-frequency test prep vocabulary
4th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
ELA Test Prep, Reading, Vocabulary
CCSS
L.6.2b
, L.6.4c
, L.6.4d
+3
Context Clues for English Learners | ESL ELL Newcomer Reading Comprehension
Are your students guessing when they answer context clue questions? Most worksheets ask students to find the correct word to fill a blank, but don’t build the vocabulary students need to truly understand what they are reading. 💡 What Makes This Different This resource takes a vocabulary-first approach to context clues. Students don’t just guess—they: build word connectionsdevelop background knowledgeuse those connections to understand meaning in context👉 No more guessing—just understanding.
2nd - 6th
ELA Test Prep, Reading, Vocabulary
CCSS
RL.3.1
, RI.3.1
, L.3.1
+1
Test Directions Vocabulary for ELLs | ESL Test Prep Vocabulary Newcomer Packet
Help your students confidently understand test directions and academic commands with this targeted ELL/ESL test prep vocabulary resource. Many multilingual learners struggle not because they don’t know the content—but because they don’t understand what the question is asking. This resource teaches students how to interpret common test directions vocabulary so they can successfully respond to assessments. ⭐ What This Resource Teaches Students learn high-frequency test prep vocabulary and acad
4th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
ELA Test Prep, Reading, Vocabulary
CCSS
L.6.2b
, L.6.4c
, L.6.4d
+3
ELL ESL Test Prep Worksheets | Test Taking & Text Features Newcomer Activities
Help your students confidently understand test questions, directions, and text features with this highly scaffolded ELL/ESL test prep resource designed specifically for newcomers and multilingual learners. This resource builds essential academic language through reading, speaking, and writing practice, so students can access grade-level content and perform better on assessments. ⭐ What This Resource Focuses On Students learn and practice high-frequency test taking words and text features,
4th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
ELA Test Prep, Reading, Vocabulary
CCSS
L.6.2b
, L.6.4c
, L.6.4d
+3
ELL ESL Speaking, Reading & Writing Newcomer Activities & Slides SUPER TEST PREP
Are you looking for resources that help newcomer students prepare for Speaking, Reading and Writing Language Tests while also learning and practicing vocabulary? Research says that multiple exposures to target words are necessary for vocabulary development. For newcomers, they need extra practice on everyday words such as nouns, verbs, and adjectives that are familiar to native English speaker students. They also need guided practice on speaking and writing in complete sentences, as well as rea
4th - 12th, Adult Education
Reading, Vocabulary, Writing
CCSS
L.8.1
, L.8.2
, L.8.3
+5
ELL ESL Newcomer Writing Activities & Slides Test Prep Comparing Winter Holidays
Are you looking for a resource that helps newcomer students prepare for Writing Tests while also learning and practicing vocabulary? Research says that multiple exposures to target words are necessary for vocabulary development. For newcomers, they need extra practice on everyday words such as nouns, verbs, and adjectives that are familiar to native English speaker students. This digital and printable resource provides an anchor chart with visuals for Compare & Contrast and Holiday basic vocab
2nd - 12th, Adult Education
Vocabulary, Writing
ELL ESL Newcomer Writing Activities: Test Prep Comparing Winter Holidays
Are you looking for a resource that helps newcomer students prepare for Writing Tests while also learning and practicing vocabulary? Research says that multiple exposures to target words are necessary for vocabulary development. For newcomers, they need extra practice on everyday words such as nouns, verbs, and adjectives that are familiar to native English speaker students. This printable resource provides an anchor chart with visuals for Compare and Contrast Holidays as well as a research an
1st - 12th, Adult Education
Vocabulary, Writing
ESL Newcomer Reading Comprehension Activities Test Prep Making Inferences Bundle
Help ESL Newcomer Students Build Vocabulary and Prepare for Reading TestsAre you looking for a resource that supports newcomer ESL/ELL students as they prepare for English language proficiency reading tests while building and practicing essential vocabulary? 2025 Update: Click here for the video lesson related to this resource. You can use this before or after using this resource to introduce or review the vocabulary words. Research shows that multiple exposures to target words are essential
4th - 12th, Adult Education
Reading, Vocabulary
ENL ELL ESL Newcomer Reading Comprehension Slides Test Prep: Making Inferences
Help ESL Newcomer Students Build Vocabulary and Prepare for Reading TestsAre you looking for a resource that supports newcomer ESL/ELL students as they prepare for English language proficiency reading tests while building and practicing essential vocabulary? 2025 Update: Click here for the video lesson related to this resource. You can use this before or after using this resource to introduce or review the vocabulary words. Research shows that multiple exposures to target words are essential
2nd - 12th, Adult Education
Reading, Vocabulary
ELL ESL Newcomer Reading Comprehension Activities Test Prep: Making Inferences
Help ESL Newcomer Students Build Vocabulary and Prepare for Reading TestsAre you looking for a resource that supports newcomer ESL/ELL students as they prepare for English language proficiency reading tests while building and practicing essential vocabulary? 2025 Update: Click here for the video lesson related to this resource. You can use this before or after using this resource to introduce or review the vocabulary words. Research shows that multiple exposures to target words are essential
1st - 12th, Adult Education
ELL ESL Newcomer Writing Google Slides: Test Prep - Comparing Winter Holidays
Are you looking for a resource that helps newcomer students prepare for Writing Tests while also learning and practicing vocabulary? Research says that multiple exposures to target words are necessary for vocabulary development. For newcomers, they need extra practice on everyday words such as nouns, verbs, and adjectives that are familiar to native English speaker students. This digital resource provides an anchor chart with visuals for Compare & Contrast and Holiday basic vocabulary as well
2nd - 12th, Adult Education
Vocabulary, Writing
ESL Newcomer Reading Comprehension Activities Slides Test Prep Making Inferences
ELL ESL Newcomer Reading Comprehension Activities Test Prep: Making Inferences Help ESL Newcomer Students Build Vocabulary and Prepare for Reading TestsAre you looking for a resource that supports newcomer ESL/ELL students as they prepare for English language proficiency reading tests while building and practicing essential vocabulary? 2025 Update: Click here for the video lesson related to this resource. You can use this before or after using this resource to introduce or review the vocabul
2nd - 12th, Adult Education
Reading, Vocabulary
ESL Newcomer Speaking Activities for TEST Prep: Biographies & Character Traits
Are you looking for a resource that supports newcomer ESL/ELL students as they prepare for English language proficiency speaking tests while building and practicing essential vocabulary? 2025 Update: Click here for a free video lesson for this resource. You can use this before or after using this resource to introduce or review the vocabulary words. Research shows that multiple exposures to target words are essential for vocabulary development. Newcomer students often need extra practice wit
2nd - 12th, Adult Education
Speaking & Listening, Vocabulary, Writing
ESL Newcomer Speaking Slides: Proficiency Test Prep Biographies Character Traits
Are you looking for a resource that supports newcomer ESL/ELL students as they prepare for English language proficiency speaking tests while building and practicing essential vocabulary? 2025 Update: Click here for a free video lesson for this resource. You can use this before or after using this resource to introduce or review the vocabulary words. Research shows that multiple exposures to target words are essential for vocabulary development. Newcomer students often need extra practice wit
2nd - 12th, Adult Education
Speaking & Listening, Vocabulary, Writing
ESL ELL Newcomer Speaking Activities TEST PREP: Biographies and Character Traits
Are you looking for a resource that supports newcomer ESL/ELL students as they prepare for English language proficiency speaking tests while building and practicing essential vocabulary? 2025 Update: Click here for a free video lesson for this resource. You can use this before or after using this resource to introduce or review the vocabulary words. Research shows that multiple exposures to target words are essential for vocabulary development. Newcomer students often need extra practice wit
1st - 12th, Adult Education
Vocabulary
CCSS
SL.8.1a
, CCRA.SL.4
Showing 1-17 of 17 results
About the store
Experience
Hi! I’m an English learner myself with over 30 years of experience teaching EFL, ESL, and ELL students in Brazil and the United States. I create classroom-tested ESL and ELL resources that I use in my own middle school classroom to help multilingual learners, newcomers, and English learners access grade-level content with visuals, scaffolds, and vocabulary support.
These resources are designed for ESL classes, newcomer support, intervention, small groups, and core content classrooms. I also share free teaching tips and vocabulary videos on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@crishoward
Teaching style
My teaching is grounded in the belief that students learn content through language. Why overwhelm students with more work when language is happening across the content areas?
I’m always learning, reflecting, and refining my practice to better support multilingual learners, newcomers, and English learners.
Visual supports are a big part of my teaching, along with multiple exposures, meaningful practice, chunked information, and frequent checks for understanding. These are the same strategies I use in my classroom and in the ESL and ELL resources I create to help students access rigorous content with more clarity and confidence.
Awards & shining teacher moments
2022 Indiana University Southeast Outstanding Cooperating Teacher Award - related to supporting ELL student-teachers.
2024 Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Building Bridges Award via New Neighbors Center - related to ELL consultancy work in multiple districts across Indiana.
2024-2025 Teacher Appreciation Grant by the Indiana Department of Education - related to English Leaners results in state tests.
2025 Best of Best K-12 ELL Teacher Nomination by INTESOL.
My own education history
2004 Bachelor's Degree in Secondary English Language Arts and Portuguese Language Arts
2009 Master's Degreee in Applied Linguistics focusing on ESL (English as a Second Language)
2017 Reading Intervention Specialist License
2025 Literacy Specialist Endorsement
Additional biographical information
- 14 years as an English as a Foreign Language teacher in Brazil (1995-2009) - all ages and English proficiency levels
- 6 years as an English as a Second Language teacher and coordinator (last 3 years there) in a Family Education program in the US (2010-2016) working with immigrant families of all proficiency levels
- 5 years as an English Language Learner teacher in an Elementary School in the US (2016-2021) - all grades and all levels
- 4 years as an English Language Learner teacher in an Middle School in the US (2021-2025) - newcomers up to high intermediate level.
- 9 years as an Adjunct Professor in the US (2017-present), courses include Applied Linguistics & Practicum, where I coached multiple ENL teachers.
- 6 years as an ESL & Family Engagement consultant (2020-present)
- 1 year as a Special Populations Instructional Coach (2025-present)
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