How can a teacher assist an ELL student struggling with the long i and long e sounds?

Offering direct instruction and practice in aurally distinguishing the long i and long e sounds is particularly effective for an English Language Learner (ELL) because these sounds can be challenging due to their subtle differences, which may not exist in the student's native language. Direct instruction allows the teacher to model the pronunciation and provide targeted feedback. Engaging the student in practice exercises that focus specifically on listening and identifying these sounds enhances their phonemic awareness, which is crucial for developing reading skills.

Incorporating auditory practice into lessons helps ELL students develop the ability to hear the nuances between similar sounds, which is a fundamental step in improving their overall phonological skills. This method directly addresses their specific needs and supports language acquisition by emphasizing the distinction between the vowel sounds in a focused, structured manner.