Using the Jigsaw Strategy in the English Language Learner Classroom to Teach Content-Specific Vocabulary

Abstract

Multilingual learners (ML) at the secondary level come to the classroom with a variety of learning experiences and language capabilities. An obstacle ML students could face is learning the everyday usage of an additional language while simultaneously learning the academic and content language, which can cause a potential challenge in the classroom. Thus, teachers must be able to adapt their teaching pedagogy to assist MLs, which can prove to be challenging. Academic vocabulary and conversational language are two different aspects of learning a new language, with academic being the more difficult to obtain since it is not as tangible as conversational language. This teaching techniques piece explains a modified jigsaw vocabulary activity that was used successfully in a sheltered ML secondary science class; additionally, this strategy can be modified and used across content disciplines and grade levels, and abilities. This activity utilizes cooperative learning, graphic organizers, and peer-to-peer engagement to create an optimal learning environment for ML students.