Nurturing bilingual speakers

“The important point to keep in mind for young ELL children is that their home language 

and cultural practices are fragile and susceptible to dominance by the English language and mainstream culture.  Children who have the opportunity to speak two languages should be 

encouraged to maintain both, so they can enjoy the linguistic and cultural benefits that 

accompany bilingual status and cultivate their home language as well as English.” 

(http://www.fresnomaderacabe.org/documents/QuotesfromLindaEspinosa.pdf)

 I believe that learning the English language should be life enriching. By making connections with a learner's native language and the English language, teachers not only make lessons easier to grasp but their learners are also able to build higher level thinking skills. Learning to speak and write in the English language is tough, but adding to that a strong foundation in one's native language requires the extra ability to make distinctions and connections between both languages. It is widely known that possessing the skill of being fluent in two or more languages makes an individual more attractive to employers and it is for this reason (among others) that teachers should work to nurture an English learner's native language. 

Syllabus

Syllabus has come a long way. I remember back in high school in the 90s that teachers did not give out a syllabus in their class rooms in that time. Now as a teacher I give my students a syllabus from the first day of class. A syllabus helps align our lesson with content standards and SAT 10 priority skills. A syllabus helps teachers stay in track on what they are teaching and also students as well. To create a syllabus you must know what you want to teach your students. Once you establish what you want to teach your students you can start mapping out the sequence of when you are going to teach that lesson and what materials or projects that goes with that lesson. This will help you be a resourceful teach because you can bring the things that you need for that lesson and also what your student are to bring for that lesson.

"Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him." Maya Angelou

http://www.lightafire.com/quotations/authors/maya-angelou/

Learning takes steps. As with any execution, the following are necessary: research, planning, knowledge, execution, and reassessment. The reassessment is important in finding out what works well for students. As stated in class, "learning is ongoing." As we learn how to prepare and execute planning necessary to bring students to their fullest potential, we learn more about capabilities. This refinement of skills continues to show itself through students and teachers alike. I am eager to learn how to properly prepare for students and their needs.

 

Image:  earlychildhoodwebinars.org

 

Education is not the answer to the question.
Education is the means to the answer to all questions.
- William Allin

 

 

 

This ED 661 course will help us give the students a closer look at the vital role of curriculum development in teaching language to students of other languages.  In the world of education, any curriculum is dependent on the understanding of the teaching concepts, effective teaching, careful planning of instruction in order to meet the needs of the learners.   

 

 

An prime example would be at my school's recent parent's "Peek In" session with our first grade parents.  My first grade team of teachers explained to the parents that although the 1st grade teachers have the same curriculum and standards, our delivery of instruction will be differentiated and is the driving tool to meet the needs of the students of the class.  As effective teachers, we need to use a curriculum as tool to provide the support for the language skills of the English Language Learners. 

 

 

New Semester More Knowledge

"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." -- Benjamin Franklin

Having a diverse educational world, one has to expect a classroom of different faces of color and culture.  This quote from Benjamin Franklin carries some weight on how we should all teach our English Language Learners.  When we include our ELLs, it is one more step on becoming successful in learning especially in reading and writing.  As somewhat of a "seasoned" teacher, I have observed that the number of students from different ethnic background has grown.  This is the right time to involve everyone.