Why Use ELL Comic Conversations
The ELL Comic Conversations are designed to engage and motivate beginning to intermediate
language
learners as they develop social and academic listening and speaking skills.
These resources demonstrate a variety of basic and necessary language functions that students can
apply in their own lives at school and at home.
The lesson plan and student resources use role-play as a strategy to build students' confidence
in
speaking in the safety of the classroom.
How to Use ELL Comic Conversations
Each comic conversation is accompanied by a wordless version that can be used to preview the
story
and to practice reading the visual storytelling style of the comic strip genre. Additionally,
role-play cards, a role-play script, and a vocabulary chart support students in acquiring and
using
key vocabulary.
Getting Started
Preparation
- Select a comic based on language proficiency level, content area, or language function.
- Determine which grade level of the comic is appropriate for your students.
- Review the Lesson Plan and comic-specific resources.
Instruction
- Use the Lesson Plan to introduce the language function and to provide guided instruction to
students as they read the comic, learn new vocabulary, and practice a conversation.
- Project and distribute the Vocabulary Chart to support students with acquiring key
vocabulary
related to the language function and topic of the comic.
- Use the wordless comic to preview the story and to practice using the pictures to predict
what
the story might be about.
Practice and Assessment
- Have students use the accompanying worksheet to practice the conversation and key
vocabulary.
- Guide students to use the Student Checklist to help them understand how to perform a
role-play
well and to evaluate themselves.
- Use the Role-Play Cards and the Role-Play Script to support students in performing the role
play.
- Use the Performance Rubric to assess students as they present a role-play to the class.
Comic Resources
- Lesson Plan
- Wordless Comic
- Comic
- Role-Play Cards
- Role-Play Script
- Vocabulary Chart
- Worksheet
- Performance Rubric
- Student Checklist
- Blank Comic