For many English Language Learners (ELL), the SAT Reading and Writing can be particularly daunting. The good news is that it can be learned, and many ELL catch on to the strategies very quickly once they begin training.
Starting test prep early—but not too early—is key. Middle school is too early! Freshmen and sophomores should focus on academics and shoot for As in English classes (in all classes, really). Excelling in challenging high-school English classes will naturally improve students’ verbal scores before beginning any formal SAT prep. Summer after sophomore year is a great time to take a practice SAT. The data from this test will help an experienced tutor gauge the amount and type of prep needed to master the Reading and Writing portion of the test.
Something ELLs should be doing now, in addition to coursework, is reading short articles about topics that they find interesting. A great exercise is for students to spend 15-20 minutes reading and then write a short paragraph about what they’ve just read. We have seen this short exercise pay off big time for ELL in PSAT/SAT and TOEFL prep. And reading is free! We’ve had students choose articles about cooking, video games, snowboarding, travel, anime, and more. There is no wrong theme, as long as the articles are engaging and, of course, in English. Try introducing this assignment over spring break. It is easy to do even if you are traveling.
After the summer practice test, formal prep might begin with a classroom program, one-on-one tutoring, or a combo of the two. We will be able to better assess a student’s needs when we can compare sophomore PSAT scores with the summer practice test. You can find more information on taking a practice SAT here: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/practice-preparation/practice-tests
Parents may also want to inquire with their student’s counselor to see if they are eligible for extended time on the PSAT and SAT. You can read about extended time for ELL here: https://support.satsuite.collegeboard.org/spring-2024-testing/accommodations/supports-english-learners
If you have more questions or would like to schedule a free consultation, contact us at info@morethanateacher.com or 512-453-7272. We look forward to hearing from you!
