Teaching Students Social Language

Middle school is tough enough for any student, let alone an English Language Learner. While working with one of my middle school students, I was reminded of how important it is to look cool and not sound dumb in front of your peers. One of my students asked me what lol meant. After explaining that it stands for "laugh out loud" he chuckled and proceeded to ask what lmao stood for. Now it was my turn to chuckle to myself (silently in my head) as I expained what it represented. He then had that "aw hah" moment. 

It was then that I realized how important it is to teach ELL's street smarts. For the longest time he communicated with his English speaking friends and played along as if he knew what these text acronyms meant, and all along he was lost and confused. I'm glad that he had me to trust and ask for help in understanding.