Hameray Classroom Literacy Blog

Nonfiction Spanish Books for ELL Students

ELL students in the reading classroom face two important objectives: they must learn how to read in accordance with the Common Core, and they must also learn how to read in a nonnative language.

In efforts to improve English fluency, some ELL classrooms focus their efforts on grammar and language skills. While no one denies that it’s difficult to read English without   knowing   English, repetitive language exercises prevent young ELL students from gaining knowledge   through   reading. As they miss out on the real world- and subject-specific knowledge gained through books, the achievement gap between ELL students and native English students widens.

Hameray’s Spanish titles allow ELL students to simultaneously gain content knowledge and improve their English.   Mundo Real ,   Fábulas mundo real ,   Zoozoo En la selva ,   and   Zoozoo Mundo Animal   all feature Spanish nonfiction texts that deepen readers’ knowledge of the world around them.

For example, when Spanish ELL students read about gorillas and dolphins in a familiar language, they can learn important information. Then, by reading the English counterparts from   Zoozoo Animal World ,   their comprehension and understanding of the English language deepens.

 

For very young ELL students,  Zoozoo En la selva   offers simple yet humorous texts. For older ELL students,  Mundo Real   and  Fábulas Mundo Real   contain longer, more grade-appropriate information about social studies and science.

One of the fundamental, often forgotten truths is that   ELL students are just as bright, inquisitive, and impressive as any other student.   Their unfamiliarity with the English language shouldn’t prevent them from extending their real-world knowledge!

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Click the images below to download information about Hameray's many Spanish series.