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"Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day…" - 5 new articles
Around The Web In ESL/EFL/ELL
Eight years ago I began this regular feature where I share a few posts and resources from around the Web related to ESL/EFL or to language in general that have caught my attention. You might also be interested in all my Best lists on teaching ELLs. Also, check out A Collection Of My Best Resources On Teaching English Language Learners. In addition, look for our latest book on teaching ELLs, The ELL Teacher’s Toolbox 2.0. Here are this week’s choices: Unveiling Complex Trajectories of Multilingual Adolescent English Learners is from The Peabody Journal of Education. Key Word Connections: How the Snow Globe Was Invented is from OnTheSamePage ELT. My YouTube channel is from The TEFL Zone. How to Teach Natural Sciences with David Guetta (And Why We Are Entering a New Era) is from Song Activity Factory. How to Create Safe Spaces in Early Care and Education for Children in Immigrant Families A Joy-Centered Tip for all Content Area is from Helping Multilingual Learners Thrive. The Multilingual Learning Toolkit has tons of resources for teachers of K-3 ELLs. 4 tips for making multilingual assessment decisions is from Teach Learn Grow. The 10 Behaviour Hotspots in the MFL Classroom — And What to Do About Them is from The Language Gym. How to Teach Online, Step by Step is by The Barefoot TEFL Teacher. Author Keith Folse on Teaching, Learning, and Living Fully Federal Grant Cuts for English Learners Face Lawsuit is from Ed Week. Not all California districts define English proficiency the same, holding many students back is from Ed Source. I’m adding it to The Best Resources For Learning About The Ins & Outs Of Reclassifying ELLs.      To No Ones Surprise, Researchers Find That That The Key Principles Of Self-Determination Theory Find That It Applies To Language-Learners’ Motivation, Too geralt / Pixabay
I’ve written constantly about how the tenets of Self-Determination Theory (autonomy, relatedness, competence, relevance) are key to creating the conditions where student intrinsic motivation can thrive in the classroom – for language learners and for everybody else. Now, a specific study on Self-Determination Theory finds that to be the case for language learners. Self‑Determination Theory and Language Learning: A Multilevel Meta‑Analysis is the study’s title, and it’s not behind a paywall. Unfortunately, though, it’s pretty dense. Here’s ChatGPT’s summary of it (I’m adding this info to Best Posts On “Motivating” Students): Here’s what matters most for classroom practice based on Alamer, Robat, et al. (2025) (a study grounded in Self-Determination Theory and L2 learning motivation): 🔍 Key Practical Implications for ELL Teachers1) Autonomy support boosts ELL engagement and learningThe study found that when teachers support student autonomy — giving learners choices, opportunities for self-direction, and meaningful participation — ELLs:
Classroom application:
2) Competence support increases ELL confidenceThe research showed that constructing learning experiences so that students feel successful and capable is strongly linked to positive outcomes. That means teachers should:
Rather than saying, “You did X wrong,” feedback should be:
This builds perceived competence, which motivates more learning. 3) Relatedness matters for language acquisitionA core finding: ELLs learn better when they feel connected to others in the classroom. Strategies that help:
Because language learning is social, strengthening relationships supports both language growth and motivation. 4) Autonomy + Competence + Relatedness = more self-regulated learnersThe study confirms the three pillars of Self-Determination Theory (autonomy, competence, relatedness) are not just theoretical — they predict student engagement and achievement in L2 contexts. Practical scaffold:
ELL teachers can build routines around all three to boost motivation holistically. 5) Use tasks that are meaningful and purposefulMotivational outcomes were stronger when tasks:
Examples:
Relevance transforms tasks from “language practice drills” into authentic language use, which is far more engaging. 6) Teachers’ interaction styles impact motivationThe way teachers talk to students matters:
So instead of:
Try:
7) Assessment can either support or thwart motivationThe study highlights that assessment matters not just for grades but for learner self-belief. Avoid:
Favor:
These practices help ELLs feel capable and in control of their learning. 🧠 Summary — What Teachers Should Take Away✅ Build autonomy by giving choice and voice✅ Scaffold for competence with clear targets and feedback✅ Foster relatedness with collaborative, respectful interaction✅ Use meaningful, authentic tasks that feel purposeful✅ Make feedback supportive, not just correctiveTaken together, these approaches create motivational conditions that help ELLs: ✔ engage more
That’s exactly what the study argues motivates second-language development most effectively.  The Best Fun Videos For English Language Learners In 2026 – So Far
I use short, funny video clips a lot when I’m teaching ELLs, and you can read in detail about how I use them in The Best Popular Movies/TV Shows For ESL/EFL (& How To Use Them). In short, there are many ways to use them that promote speaking, listening, writing and reading (including having students describe – in writing and verbally – a chronological description of what they saw). You can see all previous editions of this list, as well as other “Best” lists related to videos, here. Here are my choices for the past six months (some may be more serious):         I hadn’t seen this 2012 Mr. Bean performance before, and it would be another good one to show ELLs, especially since many are already familiar with him:    I’m adding this video to The Best Resources For Using “If This Animal Or Image Could Talk” Lesson Idea In Class:
 This video is like an animated horror/slasher film starring a pig, but adolescent boys would love it. Use your judgment about if ELLs should watch it and then talk/write about what they saw:  This is DEFINTELY not a funny video, but it could be an option to show it to ELLs and have them write and talk about what they saw: 
I’m adding this video to The Best Ways To Use Photos In Lessons:  I’m adding this video to The Best Resources For Using “If This Animal Or Image Could Talk” Lesson Idea In Class:
What ELL teacher hasn’t used this song in their classroom?    I’m adding this video to The Best Resources For Using “If This Animal Or Image Could Talk” Lesson Idea In Class:  A teacher may need to help students at the very beginning, but then ELLs can talk and write about about they saw in this video:      “Immigrant Student Enrollment Is Falling. How Should Schools Respond?”Immigrant Student Enrollment Is Falling. How Should Schools Respond? is the headline of one of my recent Education Week columns. Enrollment patterns may change, but schools still need to take care of their English learners. Here’s an excerpt:
 “When You’re Down, You Pick Them Up” – Four Leadership Rules From A Great College Football Coach That Would Work Well For Teachers, Too geralt / Pixabay
Hall of Fame coach Mack Brown: These are my 4 lessons for any leader is an interesting article from The NY Times. Here are his four rules, which he explains more in depth in the article itself: When you’re down, pick them up It’s OK to have fun Messaging matters Some things are bigger than results
I’m adding this info to A BEGINNING LIST OF THE BEST RESOURCES ON LEARNING ABOUT LEADERSHIP – SHARE YOUR OWN.  More Recent Articles
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