Entry 4: Reflection
Wright, W. E. (2015). Foundations for teaching English language learners: Research, theory, policy, and practice. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon Pub.
Entry 2: Interview with a Second Language Learner
For this interview I interviewed Joe Hernandez who grew up speaking Spanish and attended HISD public school. In the interview Joe discussed the impact Television and English speaking shows had on his journey to acquire English as a language. Wright includes Krashen’s input (comprehension) hypothesis which identifies acquiring a language when one is able to understand what we hear or read (Wright, 2015). This connected to Joe’s experiences as he heard and read character interactions on the TV, because the more he listened and watched the more he understood. Wright adds to Krashen’s hypothesis by including Swain’s comprehensible output hypothesis, that focuses on the person’s response and their ability to get there message across (Wright, 2015). Although Joe was able to understand English, he mentioned how he struggled speaking English because the sounds of letters in Spanish and English are so different. Swain concluded that Comprehension input was not enough to acquire a language ...
Hello Alondra,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your VBlog 4 video. I understand what you mean about not knowing that there are different types of English Language Learners. I had not thought about many different types of Spanish speakers there are here in the United States. This has caused a change in the way that students are being taught. Wright (2015) mentions the use of whole language, multiple intelligences, and cooperative learning as strategies that where used for native language speakers that are also beneficial for teaching ELL in the classroom (p. 63). These strategies can help teachers find multiple ways to reach student in a manner that is helpful.
Wright, Wayne. (2015). Foundations for Teaching English Language Learners: Research, Theory, Policy, and Practice(2nded.). Philadelphia, PA: Caslon.
Hi Eddy!
DeleteWhen I think of different English language learners, I also think about their different cultural backgrounds. Wright discussed Language Socialization Research and how “language and cultural learning are considered inseparable” (Wright, 2015). ELLs when they are learning a new language are also learning to use the language in a new cultural setting. Depending on the ELL, the adjustment of the language and environment varies. Knowing more about the ELLs, such as the many different types of ELLs there are can assist teacher to be better informed about second language development.
Wright, W. E. (2015). Foundations for teaching English language learners: Research, theory, policy, and practice. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon Pub.
Hi Alondra! I was also so surprised to read about there being different types of English language learners for just one language. Imagine to know that those are the many different types of ELLs of other students who speak other languages since our country is so diverse. This really got me to think about how important it really is to as Wright mentions for teachers to get to know their students through their academic files, contacting parents, and so on in order for them to get a better idea of who they will be working with and what teaching approach they can take with that certain student (2015). This way teachers realize that there really isn’t one way to teach all the same, but instead there needs to be differentiated instruction.
ReplyDeleteReferences:
Wright, W. E. (2015). Foundations for teaching English language learners: Research, theory, policy, and practice. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon Pub.
Hi Nancy!
DeleteOur country is very diverse and our education policies and programs have to be able to help every student. Wright wrote about 4 guiding principles that Jong (2011) presented which were striving for equity, affirming linguistic and cultural identifies, promoting developmental bilingualism, and structuring for integration (Wright, 2015). The hope is for these principles to give teachers the ability to create a learning environment where ELLs are welcomed and able to develop a new language. Improving educational opportunities for ELLs is important and a teachers role is crucial.
Wright, W. E. (2015). Foundations for teaching English language learners: Research, theory, policy, and practice. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon Pub.
Hi Alondra,
ReplyDeleteI moved to the USA during high school and only started learning English seriously at that point. I had the same experience as you, learning English at school and using Vietnamese at home. You are right that there are different types of ELLs, each with distinctive background and culture. According to Wright, “All students differ in terms of prior knowledge, academic proficiency, learning styles, and sociocultural background. Thus, one-size-fits-all instruction is problematic, especially for the diverse group of students under the ELL label” (2015, pg. 264). To better understand the struggle and to provide the best learning environment, differentiated instructions that fit the need of each student are required. It is not an easy process, but rather trial and error, that constantly require adjustment in order to deliver the best teaching. The goal is to help ESL students become proficient and fluent in English and being able to learn on their own.
Reference:
Wright, W. E. (2015). Foundations for teaching English language learners: Research, theory, policy, and practice. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon Pub.
Hi Trinh!
DeleteThank you for sharing your own experiences being an ELL, I always think of ELLs at an elementary school age but I know that there is all kinds of ELLs at different ages. Like you mentioned understanding the struggles and backgrounds of students is required in order to be provide the a great learning environment. Wright discussed cultural adjustments issues and how students who “find that the culture of the school matches that of their homes” the students have an advantage entering school (Wright, 2015). Differentiated instruction is important for teachers to do because it accommodates to the different learners in the classroom.
Wright, W. E. (2015). Foundations for teaching English language learners: Research, theory, policy, and practice. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon Pub
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete