California Teacher of English Learners (CTEL) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The Language Experience Approach (LEA) is designed to engage older English learners by leveraging their personal experiences as a foundation for reading and writing activities. This method emphasizes the connection between language and the learners' own narratives, allowing them to create written texts based on their memories, thoughts, and feelings. By doing so, it not only fosters a sense of ownership and motivation but also reinforces the acquisition of language skills in a meaningful context.

Using students' personal experiences for literacy activities makes the language learning process more relevant and relatable, which can significantly enhance engagement and retention. It allows for the integration of vocabulary and grammatical structures within a framework that is familiar and significant to the learner, ultimately supporting their growth in both comprehension and expression. This approach moves away from strictly academic or instructional methodologies and focuses instead on authentic communication, which is essential for developing fluency among older English learners.