Activities to Help Your EL Learners Learn Over the Summer

Just because the school year is over, it doesn’t mean the learning stops! The activities below will help your children continue to build their English skills over the summer break. These ideas were adapted from the article, 9 Activities to Help Your ELL Students Learn Over the Summer Recess.

Speaking and Listening Skills

The more time and exposure EL learners have in a language-rich learning environment in English or their native language, the greater their language development and retention. Below are some ideas to continue learning over the summer: 

• Take part in summer reading programs at your local public library, or single weekend events at city parks. 
• Visit zoos, museums, restaurants, and other public places. 
• Consider apps that learners can download onto personal devices. Duolingo is one language app which is completely free. 
• Introduce learners to age-appropriate podcasts.

Reading Skills

• It is important for learners to always be reading. Learners can read in their first language or in English, just keep them reading! 
• Create a word search/scavenger hunt learners can use over the summer. Make it a game to match the word to items in their own environments. Learners could use iPods or phones to take pictures and share their findings with friends or their EF in the fall.

Writing Skills 

• Create a journal. Have your learner decorate their journal and write in it during the summer. They can write anything they want, one example, a letter to their EF, telling them all the fun things they did over the summer.