What aspect is important to consider in the language objectives of an SEI classroom?

In a Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) classroom, focusing on language structures and functions relevant to content is crucial because SEI aims to help English language learners (ELLs) acquire language skills while simultaneously engaging with grade-level content. By incorporating language structures and functions that align with the subject matter, educators can facilitate students' understanding of the content while they learn the necessary vocabulary and grammatical forms in context. This approach supports students in making connections between language and content, which ultimately enhances their academic achievement and language development.

While adapting cultural components of lessons, incorporating students’ interests, and fostering grammatical accuracy are all important pedagogical strategies, they do not directly target the integration of language with academic content in the way that establishing relevant language structures and functions does. Successful SEI instruction prioritizes content-driven language objectives that enable students to access and participate in the curriculum effectively.