In the modern world, language is the most important tool to succeed socially, academically and professionally. Since the foundation of any learning is established in the Foundation and Intermediate Phases, it is critical that English Second Language (ESL) learners who struggle with English as the Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT) should be supported as early as possible, in order to ensure that they achieve their optimal learning potential. How to support English Second Language learners guides teachers in assisting these learners to be the best they can be.

How to support English Second Language learners provides a background to the language-in-education scenario in South African as well as related theoretical issues on learning in a second language. It pays special attention to practical support strategies for ESL learners in the Foundation and Intermediate Phase who experience barriers to learning with regard to speaking, reading, writing and listening.

Contents include the following:

• Phonological processing
• Translanguaging
• Codeswitching
• Challenges of acquiring literacy in a second language
• Administering a fluency measure
• Analysing and interpreting Grade 4 ESL learners’ performance on a spelling assessment and suggested support interventions

How to support English Second Language learners is aimed at both pre-service and practising teachers.