Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
ESL students work well when they can compartmentalize their thinking. Graphic organizers make English language learning more comprehensible for our students. One such graphic organizer that works well for English language learners (ELLs) is the KWL chart. KWL charts benefit ESL students because it helps them to activate their prior knowledge and then it holds them accountable for their learning.
KWL charts benefit ESL students because they activate prior knowledge and promote reflection. I use them constantly in my high school ESL classroom — and I’ve created a few teacher-made versions you can grab for free!
👉 Download my free KWL charts here 👈
These templates are designed specifically with English learners in mind and come in multiple formats, including visual scaffolds.
The KWL chart stands for Know-Wonder-Learned. In its traditional form, it is a three-column chart where students first write down their topic or a theme. This can be done in a couple of circumstances:
After listing their topic or theme, they complete the first column (Know) with everything they already KNOW about this topic. This is activating their prior knowledge.
Secondly, they go to the second column (Wonder) and they list what they want to know or what they WONDER about the theme or topic. This is giving them a purpose for reading or finding out more about the topic. They are then responsible for keeping their “wonders” in mind while reading the materials or doing research.
Finally, after they are finished reading the nonfiction text or researching a topic, they are going to the last column (Learned). In that last column they are jotting down what they have LEARNED about the topic or maybe even answering some of their wonder questions that they had.
The KWL chart is no stranger in regular mainstream classes. However, they have the added benefit of supporting the comprehension abilities of our English language learners. Many teachers require them in English, but they don’t have to be. The old-school thinking around ESL was that KWL charts for ESL students should be in “English-Only”. Of course this is to each teachers discretion.
Hear me out. In my own classes, I have many different English abilities. I have more advanced students and I have some students that require a lot of scaffolding prior to complex assignments. One day it dawned on me. What language do my students think in? What language do they dream in? Of course it isn’t English. If I want them to learn how to learn a skill like reading or writing in English, I MUST let them learn how to do that in their native language.
Graphic organizers are often used as a guide to a more important assignment like essay writing or understanding text. It is a stepping stone. Many of my beginner students may not be able to express themselves fully in English. KWL charts for ESL students absolutely can be done in their native languages!
I am not saying they are never to be done in English. There has to come a time where we can provide enough support and sentence starters that our students can comfortably do them in their second language.
When I was growing up, I only remember seeing the traditional KWL chart. Now there are many variations:
Regardless of what language you allow your ESL student to work in or what type of KWL chart you choose, your student will benefit from developing and taking responsibility for their own learn
Guide to Teaching High School ESL(Opens in a new browser tab)
