Entry 1: Introduction
One of the theories that correlate with my own ideas includes the involvement of student’s culture and background in the classroom.. Wright talks about the how influential it is to acknowledge and understand an English Language Learners environment and their culture (Wright, 2015). Teachers can then use this information when creating activities and lesson plans. Selecting images and videos in lesson can incorporate the students’s culture which they can connect with and encourage their learning. For English Language Learners it is hard to be around a completely new language and culture in the classroom. Having something in the classroom that is incorporated based on the student’s culture and home environment gives ELLs something they are familiar with and can encourage them to be engaged.
Engagement is a big topic that is discussed in any education course. Teachers have to know students and incorporate their own interest into the lessons so students can relate, understand, and connect to something they already know. The same needs to be done for students from different cultures and/or speak another language. This requires teachers to put in more effort to the student, because teacher’s are not familiar with ELLs culture. It is important for teachers to be aware of this and not isolate students due to culture or language differences. Kerry Haupert was able to use her own experiences, visiting new places and not knowing the culture or language, help her ELLs (Haupert, 2012). Getting to know student’s and their home environment is something that is important and a big part of my teaching philosophy. ELLs are entering a new environment and learning a new language. Every students should feel like they belong and are safe in their classroom.
Haupert, K. (2012). Innovator of the Year – Kerry Haupert. YouTube.
Wright, Wayne. E. (2015). Foundations for teaching english language learners: Research, theory, policy, and practice. Philadelphia, PA: Carlson Inc.
You mentioned in your video that your teachers never acknowledged that you were an English Language Learner. That is hard to even imagine today when so much importance is place on ensuring that our ELLs get the educational support that they need. Wright explains that the United States always has had high immigration rates (Wright, 2015, p. 6). I am surprised that it took so long for schools to focus on educating diverse populations. Considering that the United States itself is comprised of people from so many different countries, one would assume that we would have always prepared our teachers to teach our students a second language. Communication is a key factor in education, and it is important for our teachers to be knowledgeable about how to provide effective instruction to English Language Learners.
ReplyDeleteWright, Wayne. Foundations for Teaching English Language Learners: Research, Theory, Policy, and Practice. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon, 2015. Print. Second Edition.
There are many responsibility and expectations teachers take on when working with students and like you mentioned communication is one of the biggest factors in education. The diversity in classroom calls for teachers to expand their knowledge and resources in order to help all kinds of learners. Wright discusses how if teachers only look at English it takes away opportunities from ELLs (Wright, 2015). Looking back at my own experiences, my native language was used very little during my academic career. There was a lot of focus on having the students be proficient in English in order to get students to be “college ready,” that they neglected students home language. Unfortunately I did not have the best experiences as an ELLs but the experiences will help me be a better teacher.
DeleteWright., W. E. (2015). Foundations for teaching english language learners research, theory,
policy, and practice. Philadelphia: Caslon Publishing.
I am glad to hear that you want to make those changes. I think that one of the issues with our education system is something that Wright mentions in the textbook. He talks about assimilation and how the United States is supposed to be a melting part where immigrants are expected to become "Americanized" (Wright, 2015, p. 19). This probably contributes to the reason behind your ELL experience, as well as the experiences of many other students in the United States who are learning English as a second language. Many schools in the past have expected students to drop their L1 and only focus on their L2 because this is the easier route. Rather than doing what is best for the child, they do exactly as you said: neglect the students' home language.
DeleteWright, Wayne. Foundations for Teaching English Language Learners: Research, Theory, Policy, and Practice. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon, 2015. Print. Second Edition.
Hi Alondra! I think that it is important that as future educators, we understand and become knowledgeable in a student’s cultural background. I think that it is important that we remember that “ELLs vary widely by race, ethnicity, home language, levels of schooling, socioeconomic status. Parents’ level of education, parents’ proficiency in English, proficiency and literacy in their home language, and proficiency in English (Wright p.2).” With that being said, I believe that it is also important that we remember that “ELLs also differ substantially in their level of English proficiency (Wright p. 12).” As educators it is important that, as you stated, we understand each student on an individual basis and make sure that each student feels welcomed no matter their background. Getting to know a students’ home environment is a great philosophy to have.
ReplyDeleteYes Alexis! You mentioned the many different factors that vary within every individual ELLs that impacts the different levels of English proficiency. Wright identifies different variations of the English language, one being “standard American English,” and the other “regional or nonstandard English” (Wright, 2015). Wright mentions that they differ in phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and vocabulary (Wright, 2015). Educators have to be prepared and knowledgeable in order to give every student the opportunity to get high quality education. There will be many times where as teachers, we won’t be able to directly relate to students due to different cultures, language, and/or experiences, but teachers must be equipped with knowledge and resources that they can look to for help. No matter the student’s background, teachers have to accommodate and help students be successful.
DeleteWright., W. E. (2015). Foundations for teaching english language learners research, theory,
policy, and practice. Philadelphia: Caslon Publishing.