As educators, we constantly seek ways to increase student engagement, encourage meaningful discussion, and enhance academic language development. One powerful strategy that accomplishes all three is Think-Pair-Share, especially when combined with sentence frames. This simple yet effective approach not only supports students in oral language development but also serves as a scaffold for stronger writing skills.

What is Think-Pair-Share?

Think-Pair-Share (TPS) is a collaborative learning strategy where students first think about a question or prompt independently, then discuss their ideas with a partner, and finally share their thoughts with the class. This structured discussion technique allows students to process their thinking, build confidence in expressing their ideas, and refine their language before speaking to a larger audience.

The Power of Sentence Frames in Think-Pair-Share

While TPS naturally fosters communication, integrating sentence frames elevates its effectiveness. S...

Oral language is the foundation of literacy development. Before students can read and write effectively, they must develop strong listening and speaking skills. This connection is especially crucial for multilingual learners, who rely on oral language development to build vocabulary, comprehension, and academic language proficiency. Research consistently shows that oral language skills directly impact reading fluency, comprehension, and writing abilities—making intentional oral language instruction essential in every classroom.

So, how can educators bridge oral language and literacy to support multilingual learners? Here are three powerful strategies to strengthen this connection.

1. Providing a Safe Space for Risk-Taking

For multilingual learners to develop oral language skills, they must feel comfortable speaking in class. Creating a low-stress, supportive environment helps students take risks and practice language without fear of mistakes. Teachers can:

• Encourage a culture of ...