If you haven’t been able to launch a Dual Language program at your school yet, or your student speaks a low-incidence language not targetted through Dual Language programs at your school, you can still make use of students’ native languages. Here are three tips to do so:

1. Allow students to write their thoughts in their native language before presenting in English.

2. While discussing an English book or math word problem, allowing students to tell a “buddy” their thoughts in the home language.

3. Teach  students to use cognates (similar words in both languages) to help them recognize words in the second language.