In my opinion, it depends on the age of a student. If a student is really young, for example, 1st grade, it is okay if they cannot read well enough in their native language. I still think that their unability to read in their native language will not effect their ability to read in their second language. However, when students are older and they are illiterate in their own language how can they be literate in English? Therefore, in this situation it is true, students transfer their first language skills to English. They can compare their native words and English words, compare grammar differences. It should help. When students are a little older, it is easier to compare your native language system to the system of the language you learn. It is that age when you look for some aspects in the foreign/second language that you can compare to your mother tongue.

I agree, students need to get explanation first. If they do not know what a certain word or phrase typical for a specific language means, it will be harder for them to get the context of the whole text. For example, when I went to school, we read a book in English too. It was hard for me to understand some chapters since there were some phrases which were used in a strange context as I earlier thought. However, that time I did not know that, for instance, French windows are not actually windows. When I read that someone walked through the French window, it sounded very strange for me. I had to look for its meaning by myself. That is why it is better either to teach children the meaning of such words or to provide them with the books that contain the words and phrases they already know. There is not such a big problem if students do not know the meaning of some ordinary words, they can translate them, but if they do not know the words specific for a certain language or culture, they need to hear the explanation.

I believe it is a good idea to use students' social media practices to strengthen their engagement in classroom activies. First of all, they are more familiar with social media than with some classroom apps. Thy feel more comfortable in familiar environment. It reminded me when we said that students felt more comfortable talking about something they already know, about their everyday life. Same is about social media. They feel more comfortable chatting there since they spend there most of their time. Therefore, it is a good idea to expose them to something they are familiar with for better result in the learning process. Moreover, they will feel more relaxed in this environment. They will not feel any stress or tension.

Maybe chatting online does not belong to school program but thanks to developing of inovative technologies people started writting more. Therefore, when students use even Facebook, Instagram, etc. to communicate with their peers, they improve their English. In overall, nowadays, people send messages more frequently. They do not call their relatives and friends often, they email them or send a message. At the same time, people try to write their sentences correctly. In my opinion, people became more literate than they were before. Same situation happens with ESL students. Especially, when they chat with Americans, they meet new words, they learn more thing from their peers. It helps them to develop their English skills. First of all, their writting skills will become better. The same will happen with their reading skills. If they use video calls, then their listening and speaking skills will develop too. There are several reasons for that. First, they are not forced to do that, they chat with their friends because they want to. That is why I belive that their skills will be developed faster. Second, they do not feel any pressure, they are not afraid or stressed. They do not get marks for correct or wrong constructions, they just get pleasure from communication. Moreover, their friends will not judge them. They feel comfortable chatting with their friends. In addition, students can email their teachers if they need any help with their assignments, projects, etc. Technology greatly simplifies our lives and open new possibilities. It is easier for ESL students when they have support from their teacher and can ask them for advice if they need it. However, I am not sure if students feel comfortable sharing their images, reflections and aspirations via traditional classroom media.

Here is one of the principles of the Total Physical Response. Students observe and begin speaking only when they are ready. This methos is better for little kids but , to my mind, this principle is good for all age groups. It is good especially for shy students. First, they want to learn as much as possible and when they are ready to show their speaking skills, they will. It definitely reduces tension in the classroom. It is not even about shyness, but students' readiness to use a new language. We should not make them to talk but we should encourage them to do it. I believe it is very important to create this friendly environment for students. If we minimize they level of stress and anxiety, it will be easier for them to gasp information, they will be more willing to study and show what they have learned. It would not work in the same way with adult learners since they have higher expectations than children do.

I like it because it is so true to life! Of course, students need to learn something new. If they do not learn new vocabulary or grammar, their language skills will not become better. However, will your students understand an acticle that you have asked them to read if they are not familiar with a great amount of vocabulary or there are grammar structures that they do not understand? Of course, not. I work as a TA. Now, during summer school, my students have been reading a book. In this book, there are words that they do not know and even when they translate them, it is still hard for them to gasp the context since these are new words. However, when their teacher made a short summary of the story, using the words that were not so difficult for them, students understoood the story better. That is why it is important to use language that your students understand and add some difficult word or complex sentences from time to time. This way, they will understand what you are talking about and, at the same time, they will learn the new words that you add to your speech. That is why comprehensible input is important. Students will feel safer.