The AFTER model is a way to engage ESL learners in curriculum-aligned, grade-appropriate content where it was previously not thought to be possible. This interactive presentation will take you through the 5 stages of the AFTER model from the perspective of an ESL learner. So, get ready to share your ideas, collaborate with others and have some fun! Please find the 5 stages below:

1. Annotation – In this section, learners make connections with the text, jot down wonderings, and suggest meanings based on contextual evidence. This guided section, divides complex texts into parts so learners can see how their thinking evolves throughout a text. For ESL learners, they may be provided the option of annotation marking guides, using their native language to document their thoughts, or be provided with sentence stems.
2. Features – with a focus on purpose, learners jot down their ideas regarding why certain features have been included and their impact on the reader. How have they helped with their own thinking?
3. Transfer – content creation. Learners are given parallel texts that are intentionally incomplete. They must create their own content using their understanding from the original text.
4. Evaluate – Using peer and teacher feedback, following co-constructed guiding rubrics, learners can evaluate their work and refine collaboratively.
5. Reflect – emphasising metacognition, learners trace their learning journey to identify strategies that could help them overcome challenges on similar interdisciplinary texts.