Your English learners are probably thinking in their own language and then translating it into their L2 in their head. Organizing their thoughts can be difficult sometimes! In fact, sometimes I use a graphic organizer to get my thoughts together, even though I've spoken English my entire life.
Graphic organizers are great when used effectively. They should be a tool to increase understanding or practice, not the primary way you teach material. For example, they can be used as a concept map for students to connect new vocabulary terms to each other or to their definition. They can be used as a form of cloze exercise for practice.
I sometimes use Google Docs' draw feature as a free, simple way to develop graphic organizers. Those of you who are more tech-savvy than me probably know a better way, but it gets the job done! I created a screencast on how to make graphic organizers on Google Docs here.
Graphic organizers are great when used effectively. They should be a tool to increase understanding or practice, not the primary way you teach material. For example, they can be used as a concept map for students to connect new vocabulary terms to each other or to their definition. They can be used as a form of cloze exercise for practice.
I sometimes use Google Docs' draw feature as a free, simple way to develop graphic organizers. Those of you who are more tech-savvy than me probably know a better way, but it gets the job done! I created a screencast on how to make graphic organizers on Google Docs here.