SDAIE or Specifically Designed Academic Instruction in the Classroom

Specially designed academic instruction in English (SDAIE) is still sometimes referred to sheltered English. The design and goals of S.D.A.I.E. lessons are to provide ELL students with equal access to the curriculum being used. Teachers should use this since it means that ELL students are being treated the same as their peers and aren't being left out. The best thing about SDAIE is that it isn't a remedial or watered down curriculum. In fact, course work is presented in a fashion that allows students to comprehend the material through strategies and tactics that the teacher designs to support lectures, activities, reading, writing, questioning and assessment. The only thing different with SDAIE is the method of presentation that teachers use. Students will be allowed to participate and be active in the classroom using SDAIE, so they are actively learning. This is a wonderful technique since students are practicing the things they're learning and becoming comfortable with them.

The four main components of SDAIE are hands-on activities, visual clues, cooperative learning, and guarded vocabulary. In order for students to learn English, they have to hear it in context and use it. Students won't learn a language by just listening to tapes or looking at books, they need to speak the language. Visual clues are an important part of learning new words, and it's also important for non ELL students. Visual cues are great for visual learners, and it's easier to learn new words if you can picture them in your mind. It's important for students to work with their peers so that they can speak to their peers and listen to their fluent peers speak. Cooperative learning incorporates social learning, so it's important for young students. As for guarded vocabulary, this means that teachers are carefully selecting the words that students are learning. Vocabulary words shouldn't be too hard or too easy. They should also be in the realm of the students schema. For example, students shouldn't be learning the world solar system if they don't even know the words planet or outer space yet.

References:

http://www.rohac.com/sdaieinfo.htm
http://www.rohac.com/newsletter_sample.htm