From Theory to Practice: Kelly Reider on Making Language Visible in Every Classroom

In a recent episode of the Equipping ELLs Podcast, host Beth Vaucher sat down with Kelly Reider, veteran educator and founder of the English Learner Portal, to explore this innovative and empowering approach.

What Is Functional Language Planning?

Functional language planning is a methodology grounded in Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL). Rather than following a linear scope-and-sequence model of grammar instruction, this approach focuses on the language functions students need to accomplish specific tasks in class—today, this week, or within a unit.

“It’s about identifying the language students need to show what they know, participate in discussion, and succeed with content,” Kelly explains.

Why It Matters for Teachers and Students

Traditional ELD approaches often miss the mark because they isolate grammar instruction from real-world use. In contrast, functional language planning:

Teaching language is about more than grammar drills or vocabulary lists—it’s about helping students use language meaningfully in real contexts. That’s the heart of functional language planning, and it’s transforming the way educators support English language learners (ELLs) across all content areas.

Aligns with content no matter the subject or curriculum
Encourages explicit modeling of target language structures
Promotes student interaction and talk time
Supports flexible, responsive instruction without overwhelming teachers

Beth highlights how teachers often ask for plug-and-play solutions: “They want to know the scope and sequence, but the real answer is—who’s in front of you?”

Functional planning empowers teachers to answer that question confidently, knowing they can scaffold based on need, not just level.

Key Principles Behind the Method

Kelly outlines five essential beliefs that underpin functional language planning:

Language is functional—used to achieve something.
Context drives language—not a grammar calendar.
Language use is broad, so we focus on meaning-making, not just form.
Grammar is a tool, not the goal.
Language must be used to be learned—explicit instruction + use = growth.

Starting With Simple, Impactful Tools

To help teachers begin, Kelly offers a free alignment guide that helps educators focus on high-impact language forms by grade level. This simplifies planning and helps align with content objectives. From there, teachers can apply backward design strategies and focus on modeling, scaffolding, and giving students authentic opportunities to use academic language.

Real Results From Real Classrooms

Whether it’s modeling how to compare and contrast, or providing sentence frames for math discussions, functional language planning works—because it gives students a voice.

“Give them just a few models and some time to practice, and they’ll blow you away,” Kelly says. “They already know the content—they just need the language to show it.”

Learn More with Kelly Reider

Kelly’s Functional Language Planning Expert Intensive is the perfect entry point for educators and school leaders looking to implement this strategy in a sustainable way. Through guided coaching, personalized support, and interactive sessions, educators come away equipped to bring this planning model to life.

Visit EnglishLearnerPortal.com to learn more and download the free Standards Alignment Guide.

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More about Equipping ELLs:

We all know that teaching isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be this hard. Equipping ELLs is a podcast for both ESL specialists and homeroom teachers who are looking for effective and engaging ways to support their English Language Learners without adding to their endless to-do list. Tune in each week to hear tips, strategies, and inspirational stories that will empower you to better reach your ELL students, equip them with life-long skills, and strengthen relationships with colleagues and parents.

Your host, Beth Vaucher, is the founder of Inspiring Young Learners. She is an ESL certified homeroom teacher with over 10 years of experience teaching in the US and internationally. Her background of M.Ed in ESL and Curriculum and Instruction combined with her experience has led her to develop a bestselling newcomer curriculum that has sold in over 90 countries around the globe. She brings a different perspective to teaching ELLs from her years teaching and living abroad and working with ELLs from around the world. You will walk away from each episode with the ideas and tools you need to transform your experience as a teacher and cultivate a thriving and welcoming environment for your ELL students.

Beth

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