Financial Literacy ELL community

I'm not in a teaching environment right now, but as an ELL specialist, lots of ideas come to mind as to how I could teach Financial Literacy.

The ones that come to mind are obviously vocabulary, and then differentiated (student-centered, inquiry-based) instruction which would involve students becoming an advocate for their own financial understanding, creating a presentation of what that looks like (based on level of understanding), toward financial success. Without revealing their own current financial situation, I'd encourage them to create a 'dream scenario' of what it would look like if they were to take control of their finances and work toward an end goal.

All presentations would be in English (again, based on level).

I'd ask them to determine that goal, and then back-plan toward achieving that particular goal. It could revolve around simple saving (very little if needed), and what that alone could become, or be a very different 'dream' financial plan revolving around a business that could succeed in their current environment. I'd encourage them to think outside the box and focus on their passion(s).

I'd provide example(s) of current success being had by their peers in areas as simple as service (i.e. landscaping, maid services, translation, etc...) before assigning the presentation rubric.

Other ideas could involve encouraging ELL students to look further, do their own research, and learn how they could 'get ahead' in a more white-collar environment technologically, (I.e. playing the stock market, working toward a certain license such as real estate/insurance/financial planning agent, etc...) for intermediate/advanced students... to earn a commission. They could focus on serving their current cultural/economic community, and then look at what may happen if they branched out to offer their services and expertise to the larger community of (more equity-holding) others as well.

This unit could present the opportunity to invite local business leaders as guest speakers (of like culture and mind) to share both their successes (and failures) with students. This would provide a real-world example of the fact that their personal and/or business vision could be possible, as well as give them an opportunity to ask any questions to these community professionals.

I'd both guide them toward understanding their own financial situation situationally in the bigger picture, and then encourage them to 'Reach for the stars' as they thought more broadly in the financial realm of what is truly potential is in their current situation, (again with direct instruction regarding examples of success currently happening in the U.S. with those in similar situations).