On Thursday, Feb. 27, ELL Mentors program from Oak Park paired with students with Linden West Elementary School ELL, English Language Learner, students to provide mentorship and support.

A couple ELL high schoolers visited Linden West from 10:15 to 11 a.m., engaging in fun, interactive activities like memory matching card games. Through these games, the mentors learn more about the students and help them build their language skills in an engaging, hands-on way. Through these activities, mentors and elementary students form positive connections, furthering a supportive and encouraging learning environment.

The ELL Outreach program created meaningful interactions that improve the language development of the elementary students while offering the high school mentors valuable experience in leadership and communication. According to teachers, these collaborations between the high schoolers and elementary students build empathy and strengths in academic growth for both ages.

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ELL teacher

Junior Giovanna Guerrero played a memory game with the students, taking turns to find matching cards. As they played, the students curiously asked, "What grade are you in?" and "How old are you?" She happily answered, making the game both fun and interactive.