Quick answer: Teach ESL in Toronto in Grades 1–4 by starting with high-use everyday words, pairing every word with a picture and a spoken sentence, and inviting students' home languages into the room. A themed routine such as the Vocabulary Trainer Mega Bundle for Grades 1–4 gives you a set of words, cards and short tasks each week.
Toronto is one of the most multilingual cities in Canada. In the 2021 Census, 46.6% of City of Toronto residents were immigrants, and the Toronto District School Board reports over 100 languages spoken by its students and families. In many primary classrooms, several children arrive each year with little or no English.
For a child in Grades 1–4, the first English they need is the language of the classroom and the playground: colours, numbers, school supplies, food, feelings and routines. Getting those words in place quickly helps them join lessons in every subject.
What do young English learners need first?
Start with words children can see, touch and use on the same day. A newcomer in Grade 2 needs pencil, glue, washroom, lunch and line up long before they need the vocabulary of a science unit. Survival phrases matter too: Can I go to the washroom? I don't understand. Can you help me?
The Ontario Curriculum expects all students to develop oral language, reading and writing, and English learners work toward the same goals with more support. Plan for listening and speaking first, then short reading and writing tasks built on the same words.
- Classroom objects: pencil, eraser, scissors, book, desk, backpack
- Numbers and colours: counting to 20, red, blue, green, yellow
- Body and feelings: head, hand, happy, sad, tired, hungry
- Food and routines: apple, sandwich, recess, lunch, home time
How can I run a weekly ESL vocabulary routine?
A predictable week lowers stress for new learners. This routine uses one themed set, such as food or clothes, with around eight to ten words.
- Monday: introduce the words with picture cards. Say each word, point, and have students repeat.
- Tuesday: play matching games with word and picture cards in pairs.
- Wednesday: use each word in a short sentence frame, such as I like ___ or This is a ___.
- Thursday: complete a fill-in-the-blank worksheet and a short speaking prompt.
- Friday: send home a mini booklet so students can show their family what they learned.
- Following week: review the old set for five minutes before starting a new one.
The Vocabulary Trainer bundle has 24 themed sets, six per grade, with word and picture cards, matching tasks, sentence starters and take-home booklets, so the routine is ready for most of the year.
How do I use students' home languages in a Toronto classroom?
A child's first language is a resource, not an obstacle. Invite students to say a new English word in their home language and add it to a class chart. Pair newcomers with a classmate who shares their language when you can, so they can check instructions quietly.
Families can help too. The take-home mini booklets give parents a simple way to see what their child is learning, even if they read little English themselves. Ask families to label a few objects at home in both languages.
What mistakes do young English learners often make?
- Dropping plural endings: two apple instead of two apples.
- Leaving out small words: I go school instead of I go to school.
- Using one word for a whole group, such as calling every animal a dog while vocabulary is still growing.
- Mixing he and she, especially if their home language uses one pronoun for both.
Correct these by repeating the sentence back correctly rather than stopping the child. If a student says I go school, answer: Yes, you go to school. The silent period is normal too. Some children listen for weeks before they speak.
How can I differentiate in a mixed Grades 1–4 class?
Most Toronto classrooms mix newcomers with fluent English speakers. Keep the whole class on the same theme but vary the task. Beginners match pictures to words, developing learners complete sentence frames, and fluent students write a short paragraph using the same vocabulary.
For very new arrivals in Grade 1, the English Vocabulary Trainer for Grade 1 covers five starter topics: colours, numbers, animals, school supplies and body parts. It works well for older newcomers too, as a first step before grade-level sets.
Where can I find more ESL resources for Grades 1–4?
If you want to try the format before committing, the free Vocabulary Trainer Pack for Grades 1–4 includes four topics per grade with cut-and-match cards, sorting worksheets and mini booklets. Our ESL and ELL Support collection has more units for young learners, and the Toronto teaching resources page shows units for other subjects and grades.
ESL in Toronto: at a glance
| Grade band | Grades 1–4 (primary and junior) |
|---|---|
| Framework | The Ontario Curriculum, with language support for English learners |
| Assessment context | EQAO reading and writing in Grade 3; classroom assessment of oral language |
| Suggested routine | One themed word set per week, reviewed the following week |
| Lead resource | Vocabulary Trainer Mega Bundle – Grades 1–4 |
| Local hook | Over 100 languages among TDSB students and families |
Frequently asked questions
How many new words should young ESL students learn each week?
Around eight to ten new words a week is a good target for Grades 1–4 newcomers. Review each set in the following week so the words stick, and add everyday phrases they need for school routines, such as asking for help or for the washroom.
Should I let students use their home language in class?
Yes. Using the home language helps children connect new English words to ideas they already know. Let students check instructions with a classmate who shares their language and add home-language words to class vocabulary charts.
What if a newcomer does not speak at all?
A silent period is common and usually passes. Keep speaking to the child, use pictures and gestures, and give non-verbal tasks such as matching or pointing. Most children start speaking once they feel safe and have heard enough English.
Can I use Grade 1 ESL materials with older newcomers?
Yes, if you present them respectfully. A Grade 3 or 4 newcomer may need the same starter words as a Grade 1 student. Choose materials with simple visuals and avoid anything that feels babyish, then move to grade-level sets quickly.
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