Students whose home language is other than English often have a challenging time comprehending content in an English speaking classroom.  My goal, as a teacher of English Language  Learners (ELLs), is to provide students with the strategies they need to communicate with teachers and peers, while understanding and using academic English.  ELL lessons focus on the development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.  Academic English proficiency may take seven to ten years to acquire.  While proficiency skills are developing, I provide students with academic support so that they are able to understand and perform at the same grade level as their English speaking peers.