In this paper I will discuss Susan Hanson and Canisius Filiberts’ article ‘Teaching

English Learners The SIOP way’. I shall agree with the editors that teaching English
learners is not an easy task for regular classroom teachers who have not received
training in how to instruct ELS.

The theme of this well described article is about a framework is needed by teachers
and learners to fully support content instruction, while utilizing proven method of
English teaching that incorporate reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. This
framework is known as Sheltered Instructional Observation Protocol (SIOP) model.
This article is of great interest to teacher because its argument resonates with
teaching issues about the effective approach of teaching English and the essential
steps to help learners comprehend the lesson being taught.

There are eight major components and thirty features in this SIOP that guide lesson
plan development and instructional delivery. The eight components are:
preparation, building background, comprensible input, strategies, interaction,
practice and application, lesson delivery and review assessment. For me, the most
interesting component of all is the strategy encouraged by this SIOP model. The
model guided teacher to use explicit instructional strategies, such high order
questioning techniques, ample time to practice the lesson and the use of graphic
organizers to assist students to visually organize their learning. I feel that these
strategies are very suitable to be adapted by teachers and implemented it in
Malaysian school system. This component will greatly assist teacher to make sure
that the lesson taught every time is not out of the lesson objectives and syllabus.
Under this component of the model, there are features that outline what must be
included so a lesson will be effective. By having such an outline teachers will able to
make sure each lesson are properly and effectively delivered. These features enable
teachers to self-evaluate and the outline provides a quantitative feedback that is
lacking in teaching and learning process. Confucius, A Great Chinese scholar, once
said, “Tell me, and I will forget, show me, and I may remember, Involve me, and I
shall remember”, is a strong indication of the great value this model has. This is
further prove by Albert Mehrabian Theory of Communication, which conclude that
“Action Speak Louder than Words”.

In this review I have discussed Susan and Canisius article on ‘Teaching English
Learners the SIOP Way’. In general I do agree with the overall approach of the SIOP
model. Still the strategy component can be further enhancing by using more fun
elements such as game. Further development and discussion of this suggestion is
needed to advance on this matter.