helping this population of students increase their English literacy skills is an important focus for many educators.
Educators are always trying to enhance their students literacy skills. This article discussed using Social Media. This would work for older students, but I am interested to see how we could incorporate something similar in the primary grades. My only experience has been students interacting on SeeSaw. Google classroom is another tool I am interested in learning more.
The research team piloted a social media unit where students shared images, reflections and aspirations via social media and traditional classroom media.
In this class we have been learning about teachers and learners. We specially discussed learner motivation. I believe using Social Media is a positive way to motivate your students. This article touched on the positive effects that using Social Media had in the classroom. Aggie, you discussed the importance of making this a "safe" space. It would be extremely important that all students content was reviewed by teachers.
We've had a lot of newcomers in our school district, and most teachers have never had to deal with a high school student who has never gone to school before. They go to training and hear about how to help newcomers, but maybe they don't have any newcomers that year. They have a different issue to figure out. Teachers have to differentiate more than they ever thought they would.
I have always thought that ESL students who start in Kindergarten are at a higher advantage. Since we start teaching the basics, students are exposed and given many opportunities to practice. This Article has made me question my thoughts. This specific article discusses the importance of students learning to read in their own native language. Unfortunately this is not possible at the school I teach at. I am interested how my kindergarten students would do if they received reading instruction in their native language. This section really stuck out to me because as teachers we know the importance of differentiation. This example made me think about a situation where a high school student comes to your school without attending school before. This kind of differentiation would be challenging and very different than what teachers are used to doing. I really hope we see a shift in undergraduate courses and professional development trainings to help prepare teachers to best meet the needs of their ESL learners.
It's based on a lot of research that says you only have to learn how to read once. Kids who learn to read in their first language will transfer those skills to English faster than if they try to learn to read and learn English at the same time.
My former school had kindergarten and first grade students pulled out of reading to receive instruction only in Spanish. Due to lack of space and teachers, second grade students were required to stay in the classroom and received reading instruction only in English. I see that this article recommends transitioning students in third grade. This quote really stuck out to me because their general education teacher was always so stressed that their students were only learning to read in Spanish and not English. I'm interested to look more into this research.
Krashen makes the important point that comprehensible input needs to be at the right level for the learner, namely just higher than the learner's own
Both NEIU classes I am taking the summer have been focusing on Krashen. This week both have mentioned comprehensible input. I already use a lot of strategies, such as, visuals, organizers, word walls, songs, anchor charts, dances, games, and videos. My ESL teacher at my school assess and provides me with the ACCESS level of my students. I have been focusing most of my language at their level, but missing the importance of the 5 to 10% above their level. To better understand Comprehensible Input, I searched for many different examples in the classroom. It's amazing to me how much easier learning for students can be when comprehensible input is used.
4. Anxiety is the student’s arch enemy
I often see high anxiety in many of my kindergarten students. Elementary school is a big transition for all students. Typically the anxiety will be higher in my ESL students. Speaking from experience, I really struggled in anxiety learning environments, no matter what age I am. I believe the first key to a successful classroom is a strong community and strong teacher to student and peer to peer relationships. It is important that teachers create a warm, welcoming, and accepting environment. My biggest push is for students to accept making mistakes. When students accept that mistakes are helpful to make our brain stronger, I see change in the environment. Social Emotional Learning has been a big push over these last few years. In order for students to be successful, their emotional needs need to be met.