Entry 1: Introduction
Video Link: https://youtu.be/Oaytt6sCcdI
In my video, I discussed a lot of points. I talked about my experience trying to learn a second language, and how that affected my ability to retain the information I was being taught. My experience learning a second language was sub-par. My teacher thought the best way to to teach us a whole language was to assign us work book pages and vocabulary flash cards, all while frequently still speaking English.We were not submersed in the language, therefore I was only able to retain a very limited amount of what I was taught. This way of teaching not not an effective way to teach our English language learners in schools. Wright (2015) states that ten percent of our student population are English language learners, and this percentage is only going to keep growing. If we chose to just stick these students with a set of vocabulary flash cards and give them worksheets in English to complete, then they will not succeed, and quit possibly might be retained a grade. It is our job as educators to ensure that our students have all the necessary resources in order to succeed.
Another aspect I touched on was the learning environment provided. If the environment is not positive and comfortable, then the English learners will not feel comfortable speaking English. Wright (2015) says that it does not matter where you teach, you will have English language learners in your classroom, and it is imperative that every teacher is trained correctly on how to effectively provide content and instruction to these students. If a teacher is not trained correctly, then the ELL will not be provided with the appropriate amount of resources and support necessary for them to succeed.
References:
Wright, Wayne. Foundations for Teaching English Language Learners: Research, Theory, Policy, and Practice. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon, 2015. Print. Second Edition.
Haley, how sad it is that you went through a language course and because of your teachers lack of knowledge on what best helps students it was not an effective class. I see this pattern happening far to often in the American schools. I find we are simply teaching other languages because it is a requirement, but the classes are not actually structured for students to walk away knowing more of the language. I agree how important it is for us to be well equipped to teach ELL's as the number of ELL's keeps growing. It is so important to make sure these students don't get overlooked and pushed in a corner because we aren't quiet sure what to do with them. Wright (2015) talks about how important it is for teachers to know language and where each of there students are (pg. 28-29). This will help them to best understand how they can help the students to understand the information they need to and succeed. I look forward to when I have ELL students because I know this will help me to grow as a teacher. I hope I am able to provide an environment for them that is welcoming and safe.
ReplyDeleteWright, Wayne. Foundations for Teaching English Language Learners: Research, Theory, Policy, and Practice. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon, 2015. Print. Second Edition.
Vanessa, thank you for your interest in my blog. I agree with your comment that the course is not structured to allow students to fully obtain the language that there are being taught because of the lack of interest in the subject. I also believe that its is important to give attention to the english language learners because if you do not then they will slowly fall behind other children who speak fluent english. Wright (2015) talks about how teachers who understand second language development and who engage in effective instructional and authentic assessment practices speak to their students and listen to them talk everyday. Therefore, with recognition and practice there could be much more development for english language learners with the help of teachers.
DeleteI find it fascinating that teacher teach things that we, native speakers, do not say such as "puedo ir al baño" since we say "me da permiso de ir al baño?" This shows that the language students learn is not necessarily what they will need in real life. I agree with you that lacking the appropriate environment is essential for pupils to learn a second language. As you say, technology is also vital, however, the problem is that teachers usually do not know how to use it. One of my concerns is how to get to know you and to get to know you as well as to develop assignments that are meaningful and contribute to your learning. Watching your video and reading your reflection allow me to get to know who you are and what your experiences with a second language have been. I am sure this course will allow you to learn considerably about how to better instruct ELLs.
ReplyDelete
DeleteDr. Avellaneda, thank you for your interest in my blog. Wright (2015) states that “experience leads to expertise”. I agree that the environment can affect the language trying to be learned. For example, if I were to move to spain and learn spanish there, I would have a much different experience and retention rate than learning it in a classroom. It would also be different when learning spanish in Mexico compared to learning it in Spain, because even though it is the same language many words are used in different ways.
Hello Haylee, I really enjoyed watching your video. Even though I was a bilingual student and knew how to speak Spanish, I believe you and I had very similar experiences when it came to taking Spanish classes. I personally struggled at some points and didn’t feel like I learned anything new or valuable and I believe it was because of how the class was taught and I think that’s similar to what you experienced when you took your Spanish courses in intermediate school. This is why I really agree with your thoughts on how to teach ELL students, because I too believe that students should feel comfortable in the classroom and not be taught only through work sheets since it will help them succeed. After all Wright (2015), stated “Although limited resources and the challenges of learning English may impede opportunities to learn, ELLs can learn and reach the highest level of academic achievement.”
ReplyDeleteWright, Wayne. Foundations for Teaching English Language Learners: Research, Theory, Policy, and Practice. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon, 2015. Print. Second Edition.
Yesenia, thank you for your interest in my blog. I found it interesting that even though you were fluent in a language that the class was just as confusing to you was as if it was your first time learning. This goes to show that there is no retention in courses while using vocabulary and worksheets, without some type of personal interaction or practice. Wright (2015) states when teachers engage in effective instructional and authentic practices, student will retain the information better. We need to engage our student in meaningful lessons that they can connect to their own life experiences to best ensure they learn what we are trying to teach them.
DeleteHi Haylee,
ReplyDeleteI can totally relate to what you mentioned about how your experience with learning Spanish effected your ability to actually retain the language. I had a similar experience with learning Arabic. In high school, I took Arabic for a foreign language credit. I had previously learned to read and write in Arabic, so I did pretty well in the class merely because of my prior knowledge. The teacher mainly taught vocabulary and used repetitive tapes to teach us sentence frames. I hardly retained any of the phrases I learned in that class and I feel it was because of the lack of meaningful experiences. Although I am still not fluent in Arabic, I am able to recite a few phrases I learned through experiences with my relatives. Wright (2015) states that "experience leads to expertise". I agree with this statement because I feel that being presented vocabulary which has no schema to fit into will not be retained. On the other had, building memorable experiences in which language learners can fit vocabulary terms into can create a longer lasting memory of the word and its meaning in context.
Wright, Wayne. Foundations for Teaching English Language Learners: Research, Theory, Policy, and Practice. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon, 2015. Print. Second Edition.
Angel, thank you for your interest in my blog. I found your comment very interesting. Your similar experience learning a foreign language in the school system just shows how we need to reform the way a second language is taught. I also feel that having a memorable experience where you can apply the knowledge learned when being taught a second language will substantially increase retention of the information. Wright (2015) defines language majority student as those students who speak the dominant society language. In our case this is what we are, being students who only spoke english, the dominant language. While I wish I could have become fluent in another language, our education did not allow for that.
DeleteHello Haylee! I found it very interesting to read about your experience in learning a second language. I had a very similar experience in learning Spanish in high school. My teacher relied heavily on textbook work and vocabulary as well. I remember a few words of Spanish, but not a whole lot. I agree with where you discussed the need for teacher to be properly trained. Wright mentions “An understanding of what ELL’s can do at different stages of second language learning is crucial if teachers are to provide effective content instruction” (Wright, 2017, pg.12). This relates to teachers needing to be properly trained because if they are not trained properly the teacher would have no way of knowing that tools such as visuals are vital in second language learning.
ReplyDeleteSource:
WRIGHT, W. E. (2017). FOUNDATIONS FOR TEACHING ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS: Research, theory, policy, and practice. S.l.: MULTILINGUAL MATTERS.
Samantha,
DeleteLike you and Haylee, I had an identical experience learning Spanish. Looking back, it is a upsetting that our teachers did not create more engaging and real-life applicable lessons. Unfortunately, I did not retain any of the language, but this has caused me to see from an ELL’s perspective. If a teacher only relies on teaching straight from the textbook, and does not make the English language appealing or accessible, it is likely that the ELL will not learn the language. Wright (2015) says, “teachers need to understand language as an integral element in the content they teach”.
Samantha, thank you for your interest in my blog. I also read in the reading about the how English language learners are all at different stages. Wright (2015) states that English languages learners differ dramatically in their levels of language proficiency. As educators, we need to be properly trained on how to teach each of these students at these different levels of proficiency, and not clump them all together as English Language learners. We tend to look at them as all on the same level, learning English, and not as individuals learning at different rates.
Delete