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The arts can support English Language Learners in multiple ways—academically, socially, emotionally and creatively. Here are 5 sources to get you ready to start fusing music, visual arts, and other art forms with language development:

1. Need a quick answer to the “why the arts” question?

Erin Wilkey Oh at offers three reasons to keep in your back pocket: Art is a universal language; the arts allow learners to express culture and learn new ones; and art experiments with identity—particularly on-target for tweens and teens.

2. Want to get closer to close-reading?

 showcases the arts-integrated approach high school teacher, Lindsay Young, takes to this critical reading strategy – we love the idea of “reading portraits like we would read a story.”

3. Comfort is key.

Beyond instructional strategies, it’s important for your language learners – all your learners!—to feel known, accepted, and welcomed. From supporting cultural practices and experiences to understanding (and allowing youth to express) the difficulties and complexities of school and home life, the arts can provide crucial social, emotional, and communication outlets for young people. –while not focused on the arts--can help frame your creation of a positive learning space for ELLs.

4. Rhythm and pattern underlies Language and Literacy Development.

From Colorin Colorado, breaks down the ways language is processed and the role of phonemic awareness as learners navigate the complexities of rhythm and pattern in their language and reading development. Pair with for an actionable, informed background on the connections across the ways we use and transfer language skills.

5. Ready to go deeper?

houses a collection of approaches and resources for teachers ready to tackle the deeper practices that help ELLs succeed. There are a number of professional learning offerings in addition to their article collection —which helps track the existing and emerging practices that help support language learners across their school and community experiences.