As adult educators, a key part of our job is to help our ESL/ELL students successfully transition to a high school equivalency program, such as the GED or HiSET. This step requires more than conversational English. Students need academic skills, test-taking strategies, and confidence to succeed.
Below are seven evidence-based, practical strategies to help you bridge your students from ESL/ELL classrooms into GED or HiSET success.
1. Introduce academic vocabulary in context.
High school equivalency tests rely heavily on academic language, and ESL students often struggle with this specialized vocabulary. Key words such as analyze, infer, summarize, evidence, and claim appear frequently in test prompts and reading passages.
Example: Instead of only providing a vocabulary list, embed these terms into lessons. For instance, when reading a short article about climate change, ask:
“Can you summarize the author’s main argument and provide evidence from the text?”
2. Focus on reading for main ideas and supporting details.
Adult learners often struggle with dense informational texts in science, social studies, and literature. Teaching students to identify the main idea and distinguish key details is critical for comprehension.
Example: Use short, accessible readings like National Geographic articles or excerpts from GED practice texts. Ask learners to:
- Highlight the main point.
- Circle supporting details.
- Paraphrase the text in their own words.
3. Teach test-taking strategies explicitly.
Many adult ESL students struggle less with content and more with the structure and demands of standardized tests. Teaching skills like eliminating incorrect answers, pacing, and understanding question types reduces anxiety and increases confidence.
Example:
- Practice multiple-choice strategies such as eliminating two wrong answers first.
- Use timed “mini-tests” so students learn pacing.
- Review why answers are correct or incorrect—this builds both content knowledge and confidence.
4. Integrate content-area knowledge gradually.
GED and HiSET tests include questions in science, social studies, and math. ESL students may lack background knowledge in these areas, which can impede comprehension. Integrating content knowledge alongside language instruction strengthens both.
Example:
- Pair a short biography of Marie Curie with simple science vocabulary to introduce scientific discoveries.
- Use a news story about the local economy to discuss supply and demand.
- Reinforce math by linking real-life tasks like budgeting or comparing grocery prices.
5. Encourage critical thinking and analysis.
High school equivalency exams emphasize critical reasoning: comparing viewpoints, evaluating evidence, and drawing logical conclusions. ESL learners benefit from consistent practice in critical reasoning and analysis.
Example:
Present two short texts with opposing perspectives on a social issue (for example, renewable energy policies).
Ask: “Which argument do you find stronger? What evidence supports your answer?”
6. Build academic writing skills gradually.
Writing is often the most challenging section for adult ESL learners. They need structured support in paragraph formation, thesis statements, and supporting evidence.
Example:
- Start with short writing tasks, such as summarizing one paragraph.
- Progress to five-sentence paragraphs with a topic sentence and evidence.
- Then move to short essays answering GED-style prompts like:
- “Do you agree or disagree with the author’s position? Support your response with evidence.”
7. Host a “Bridge to GED” information session.
Fear of the unknown can deter adult learners from enrolling in GED or HiSET classes. Hosting a bridge session with a GED instructor or a current student can demystify the process.
Example:
- Invite a GED instructor or former ESL student who passed the test to speak.
- Share sample exam questions and classroom expectations.
- Highlight success stories, such as:
“After two years of ESL classes, Maria passed her GED in six months and is now in a nursing program.”
Final Thoughts
Supporting ESL/ELL students in the transition to GED or HiSET programs is about fostering confidence, critical thinking, and academic readiness. These seven strategies equip adult learners with the skills they need to succeed and help educators build programs that are both inclusive and effective.
Next Steps for Educators:
- Share these strategies with colleagues to enhance adult education programs.
- Explore learner-centered teaching strategies on our YouTube channel and textbook page.
- Curriculum Directors, Instructional Specialists, or Lead Teachers can request sample CBL textbooks for math, reading, or ESL by contacting teamcbl@cbledu.com
