As an educator, I’ve wrestled with this question countless times: *How do I teach phonics effectively to students who don’t know the meaning of the words they’re reading?* This challenge can feel especially daunting when using worksheets and phonics activities designed for native English speakers, which can leave EL students confused and disengaged. However, over time, I’ve found some strategies that, though not always a perfect solution, help bridge the gap between phonics instruction and English language learning.

Understanding the Difference: Phonemic Awareness vs. Phonics

Before diving into solutions, it’s important to distinguish between phonemic awareness and phonics, as the two are often confused. 

Phonemic awareness refers to the ability to hear and manipulate sounds in words. It’s an auditory skill and does not involve letters or print. For example, activities that focus on recognizing and segmenting sounds, clapping syllables, or identifying rhyming words are all part of phonemic awareness. I often use the native languages of my English  language learners when teaching these skills because they can transfer their phonemic understanding in their first language to their second language.  For instance, we can practice segmenting words in Spanish or another native language to build their overall awareness of sound patterns.

Phonics, on the other hand, is about connecting those sounds to letters. It involves teaching letter recognition, letter-sound relationships, and patterns like consonant blends and vowel teams. This is where things can get tricky for ELs. Without knowing the meanings of the words, how can students effectively engage in phonics practice? 

 The ESL Phonics Worksheet Dilemma

Let’s consider a common scenario: I pull out a printable phonics worksheet to help my young learners practice initial sounds or consonant blends. The worksheet might ask them to identify pictures that start with the letter “B” or match a picture with the correct word. However, here’s the catch—while my native English speakers understand that “bat” is a piece of sports equipment or that “boot” is something you wear on your feet, my ESL students are often stumped. They may not have the vocabulary to identify what those words mean, making the worksheet confusing and, ultimately, ineffective. It becomes a frustrating experience, and what should be a simple phonics lesson turns into a vocabulary struggle. 

So, what’s the solution? I’ve found that integrating visual supports or their native languages into phonics instruction can make the most optimal experience for my ELL students. 

Bilingual Phonics: Using Students’ Native Language to Support Learning

One  strategy I’ve used to make phonics instruction more accessible is incorporating students’ native languages. Phonics worksheets often focus on initial sounds—identifying the first letter sound in a word. What I’ve found helpful is pointing out words that have similar initial sounds in both English and the student’s native language.

For example, in both English and Spanish, most of the consonant are the same.  (The long vowels and short vowels are not).  The words “boot” (English) and “bota” (Spanish) refer to the same item and share the same initial sound. By showing students that some sounds overlap between languages, they can begin to transfer their phonemic knowledge from their native language to English. This bilingual approach helps students feel more confident and makes phonics instruction more meaningful because it builds on what they already know.

One of my favorite resources for this is a bilingual alphabet sheet. For each letter, I provide words in both English and Spanish that share the same initial sound. Students can practice letter recognition and sound identification in both languages simultaneously. This not only reinforces phonics skills but also strengthens their vocabulary in both English and their native language. You can access these worksheets on my early literacy/phonics page by clicking here. 

Enhancing Phonics Worksheets with Visuals

Another  way I’ve made phonics worksheets more accessible for my all of my EL students (this year I have students from 2nd grade through 5th but it is also effective for students both younger and older than this)  is by adding visuals. When students can see what a word represents, they’re better able to connect the sound to the concept, even if the word is new to them. However, not all of my blackline masters that I have relied on through the years have visuals. 

For this, I’ve turned to , yet again, Canva, an invaluable tool in my teaching toolkit. Though primarily a graphic design platform, Canva has become a go-to resource for educators thanks to its versatility and ease of use. Here’s how I use it to modify phonics worksheets for my EL students:

Canva: A Treasure Trove of Free Materials

Beyond just editing worksheets, Canva itself is a treasure chest of both general ed and esl activities. Many educators, like myself, have created printable phonics worksheets, digital board games, word search puzzles, and flashcards that focus on phonics skills. Besides phonics, I have found presentations, reading practice passages, phonics flashcards, grammar worksheets, sight words activities and other printable handouts. The best part? Most of these resources are free for classroom use, and you can easily modify them to fit the specific needs of your students. I can tweak any of these to include visuals or other language supports for my Els needs. 

Alternatives to Worksheets

In addition to worksheets and games, incorporating hands-on activities like fun  paper crafts or other visual arts projects can provide a powerful way to reinforce the different sounds. When students engage in creative activities, such as making letter collages or decorating objects that start with a specific sound, they form memorable connections between the letters and the new vocabulary they’re learning ( as well as strengthening their fine motor skills!).  For example, creating a paper butterfly while focusing on the letter “B” not only reinforces the sound but also links the word “butterfly” to the activity, making it more likely that students will remember both the sound and the word. These fun, tactile projects help students anchor their phonetics practice in a meaningful and engaging way, while also fostering creativity and providing a break from traditional classroom routines. By blending art with literacy, you create a learning experience that students will look forward to and remember.

Wrapping It Up: Phonics Instruction That Works for ELs

The phonics worksheet conundrum can be solved with a little creativity and the right resources. By incorporating visuals, using bilingual supports, and integrating fun activities, you can make phonics instruction both meaningful and accessible for your EL students. Whether you’re using Canva to add visuals to existing worksheets, using bilingual resources, or  easy paper crafts the key is to meet English language learners where they are and make the learning process as engaging and supportive as possible.

Remember, teaching ESL phonics isn’t just about teaching sounds and letters—it’s about building confidence, expanding vocabulary, and giving students the tools they need to become successful readers. With these strategies, you can turn what once felt like a conundrum into a rewarding and effective part of your teaching practice.