5 Ways to Integrate Speaking Into ELD and Content Lessons

One of the best ways to support multilingual learners is by giving them plenty of opportunities to speak, not just in ELD group times, but in every content area. The more students practice using language in authentic and meaningful ways, the more confident they become in both social and academic contexts. 

In this blog post, I'll share five ways to build speaking into your lessons. They’re low-prep, flexible, and fun!

2. Would you Rather?

This game is quick, easy, and always a hit! Pose a fun or content-related “Would you rather” question and have students explain their choice. You could use Google or PowerPoint slides or cards with the questions to make it more of a hands-on experience. 

Below are some question examples: 

Would you rather live on the moon or under the ocean? Why?
Would you rather write a story or solve a math puzzle? Explain. 

You can easily differentiate the speaking expectations for all levels of multilingual learners. For example, Level 1 students might simply say, “I would rather live on the moon.” Level 2s could add a reason, Level 3s might include more details to elaborate, and Level 4s could give a fuller, more organized response using connecting words. 

No matter how you set it up, be sure to explain what you expect from each level. It helps to show students a quick checklist or mini rubric so they know exactly what a strong response sounds like. Don't forget to model, add visuals, and a word bank to use in their responses. 

Here is my speaking checklist for informal speaking assessments. 

Check out my social language "Would you rather" cards below: 

• Summer Edition Would You Rather Cards

• Summer This or That Slides

• Fall Edition Would You Rather Cards

3. Information Gap

This is a fun activity to do in any content area or in ELD small groups. Start by pairing students with slightly different information (two versions of a text, a chart, or pictures). Then, students walk around asking and answering questions to find who has the missing piece of information they need so they can complete it. 

Some ideas for this activity are: 

• Two different versions of a chart, graph, or matching pictures. 

• The answers to math equations or math definitions, and examples.

• A map where one student knows the location of landmarks, and the other doesn’t.

• Vocabulary cards with missing definitions or examples. 

5. Role Play 

Students will love stepping into different roles, and it gives them a safe space to try out new vocabulary and sentence structures. For shy or newcomers, it can be a low-pressure opportunity to try saying a word or a short sentence as they build more confidence and language skills. 

Here are some ideas to use in content areas: 

• In science, students might act as scientists, weather reporters, animals, plants (for life cycles), or any other character related to the science topic to present their findings using the science academic vocabulary as they role-play. 

• In social studies, they could role-play a town hall meeting or historical figures debating.
  
  

• For everyday school language, students can practice scenarios like asking for help in the cafeteria or borrowing a library book.   

There are so many options and fun scenarios that could be done.

Provide them with a word bank of the academic vocabulary they should use and a graphic organizer to plan their skit, so they feel prepared and know what each person will say when they are acting it out.  If there is time in, they can even create props. 

Integrating speaking doesn’t have to mean planning something extra—it’s about adding a layer of conversation to the work you’re already doing. By weaving in role plays, “Would you rather” questions, information gaps, and picture talks, you’re giving multilingual learners the practice they need to build both language and content knowledge. 

Your classroom becomes a space where students aren’t just learning about language—they’re learning through it.