Many classrooms have students whose first language is not English. Often times this is a challenge for educators who have not had any training in how to teach ELL students or how to create an environment that will foster their English language acquisition.
Please read the section 'Additional Methods for Positively Engaging Parents of Second Language Learners' in your textbook and watch the following YouTube video entitled English Language Learners by Kimberly Williams & David Guo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2ap4Q5uxGE) and address the following questions:
1. In the video there are several challenges listed that ELL students must overcome to be successful in classrooms. Which of these have you done in your classroom when helping ELL students and what were the student’s responses?
2. Using either the video or textbook, or both, what do you feel are the three most important parent involvement techniques a teacher can implement? Why do you feel these are the "Top Three"?
I have never had the opportunity to work with any ELL students or families. Most of these things, I have yet to experience. I think that what I would try if I had someone would be: write and distribute bilingual handouts, translate whenever possible, and develop welcome videos. I think these things would help bridge the gap a little bit and show the families that you care about the students and are going to work hard to help them grow.
ReplyDeleteTop Three Parent Involvement Techniques:
1. Progress Reports- whether good or bad, parents need to know how their child is doing in school. I think a teacher needs to talk to a family either weekly or bi-weekly. Can be phone, person, or email. Just let them know the good and the bad, so nothing is a surprise.
2. Introductions- If you have new students or are new to a district, let the families know who you are. Send a letter, call them, make a website, make a home visit. Just introduce yourself and start out the relationship on a positive note from the start.
3. Smooth and Comfortable Interactions- Make the parents like you and respect you. Often times, parents dont like schools or dont want to be involved. Make them feel like you are their support and friend. Allow them to feel comfortable around you. This will make for the best possible student environment.
I agree that progress reports can really help keep parents involved. I think it can also help keep the lines of communication open. I also agree that this can help cut down on suprises that may come up. Parents knowing about their students progress will help keep them more involved in thier child's academics.
DeleteI also agree with Ryals in the fact that various weekly progress reports along with constant notes or phone calls will go along ways in developing relationships with ELL parents. Again communication comes into play, the more you do it, the better the results. Go out of your way to make people feel comfortable regardless of language.
DeleteProgress reports are always a good thing either negative or postive. Need to keep the communication between parents open.
DeleteI have not had the experience of working with any ELL students, although there are a few in the school I work at. I think one of the biggest challenges would be the overlap between the native language and English. Some students will speak a language where some of our words are similar and it will be easier to pick up on some of the words. In addition, the letters of their alphabets may make similar sounds and they will be able to sound out some English words. However, there will be students whose language is vastly different from English. The Mandarin language comes to mind as one that would be very difficult to translate to English for me as a teacher. I liked the strategies of having pictures with the English word and the native word so students can begin to make correlations between the two. Finding children’s books that deal with this would also be helpful. Because this is a more common occurrence in schools, there are greater resources to help students and teachers.
ReplyDeleteBilingual Parent Handbooks: I really like the idea of having a bilingual parent handbook. Parents that are new to the educational system in the U.S. would especially appreciate a handbook that explains the rules of the school, a calendar of events, and the expectations of the parents and students. This could help alleviate a lot of confusion for the family.
Develop Welcome Videos: One of the challenges talked about internal schemata students have from their native language. A welcome video could help the students develop new schemata by combining a visual with the words. The video could be done in English with native language subtitles. The video could address topics that many young people worry about like school dress code, how the school lunch system works, transportation options, and things specific to that school building.
Create a Warm Environment for Parents: Teachers take a lot of time and preparation to create a classroom that is inviting for students. However, when they have parent meetings, it can often feel sterile or unwelcoming. There are many things a teacher can to do create a warm environment for parents. Greet parents at the door of the school rather than waiting for them to find the classroom. Teachers could have some refreshments available for parents to make it feel less like a meeting and more like a visit. If there is specific information the teacher wants the parents to know, have it translated to their native written language or find someone who can translate. Poor college kids will often be willing to work for a little cash, especially if it’s something they can use on a resume later. Perhaps a teacher could contact a local college or university to see if there are students that are majoring in the specific language. If the parents like the school, they will feel better about sending their children there.
I agree, teachers do tend to spend so much time getting things ready for the kids, including the parents in that preparation is important. I also like your idea about getting a college student who maybe able to translate for little money as a resume builder. Win win for everyone there.
DeleteGreat post! There are lots of people that willing to help if needed. Haivng strong community ties is important. Bilingual parents, students, or community members would more than likley be willing to help when needed for conferences etc. One of my firends utlizes a high school student that is bililngual to help at the Elementary with conferences etc.
DeleteA bilingual handbook would be a great idea especially in those schools with a large population. Getting ELL parents involved as much as possiblke is also very important when trying to establish a relationship or open line of communication. Getting college students to help out is also a great idea. Good Post.
Delete1. In the video there are several challenges listed that ELL students must overcome to be successful in classrooms. Which of these have you done in your classroom when helping ELL students and what were the student’s responses?
ReplyDeleteThey tend to be quiet because they are not confident in their language skills. One way I would overcome this is to put them in smaller groups so they can talk amongst their peers in a less stressful situation.
They have trouble understanding cultural things, so I would try to relate things to their culture and understand their culture so they feel more comfortable. I would also encourage them to include their culture in their work so they make that connection.
2. Using either the video or textbook, or both, what do you feel are the three most important parent involvement techniques a teacher can implement? Why do you feel these are the "Top Three"?
Write and distribute bilingual parent handbooks - This is a way the parents can feel connected without having to try to talk. I think it is important to make sure notes sent home are in their native language so that parents can read them and understand.
Translate whenever possible: It would be like me going over to another country and thrown into their educational system. I would be completely lost and frustrated. If someone was constantly translating to me and relating things to things I already know, I would eventually catch on. I think this is important especially as they begin to learn the English Language.
Host Social Events: Being around and talking to others in a social setting is a great way to learn a language and culture. There is so much to learn socially rather than academically. Once a person learns socially, the academic part will slowly come, but the social part comes first. Plus it gets parents acquainted with teachers and other school staff and makes them feel more comfortable.
Agreed, I think we were recalling some of the same information from Second Language Acquisition class.
DeleteCreating that relation between their culture and their new setting is important and will help easy anxiety.
I really like your idea of putting students into smaller groups for discussions. What a great way to make ELL students more comfortable and to give their classmates an easier way to interact with them.
DeleteI also really like the small group setting. I discussed that in my post also. I think in the small groups they are able to feel a little less intimidated. It's a perfect chance for them to learn social skills in a small setting. I also think it's very important for them to talk about there culture when doing activities or projects. It would be great for the class to learn more about other cultures.
DeleteI agree Jill. Culture is everything to a family especially an ELL family. They have left everything that is comfortable and familiar for them behind. Anything about the ELL family that can be incorporated into the classroom would make them feel more connected.
DeleteCulture is definitely a big part. I think students start to understand the culture at a younger age and then the language becomes easier as well. Young students seem to get the language and culture easier. Some of this was the same as Second language.
DeleteI agree that social events are a great way for parents to learn language and culture. I also agree that learning socially is just as important as academics. I think making parents feel welcome and comfortable is extremely important and social events allows them this opportunity.
DeleteI have not worked with and ELL student before but there are several challenges that must be addressed.
ReplyDelete1. Breaking the barrier, providing materials in both the first and second language at first will help with the transition or getting an interpreter. Both the student and parent will feel more at ease when they are informed in a manner they can under stand, this would apply to all new forms that need to be filled out, first day of school routines,supplies list, handbooks, rules/regulations, even the directions to assignments at first.
2. Using other media to aide in instruction, giving the students tangible items when learning new vocabulary, show them pencils and paper when you ask the class to get them out. Having pictures of items throughout the room, even a picture format of the daily schedule will be helpful.
3. Be welcoming. Many schools have a welcoming committee of sorts when a new student arrives. Also pairing a new student up with a helpful friendly student as a buddy for the first week or so will be helpful. Also encourage parents to come and participate in school events, maybe even have them give a presentation or help organize and event that is centered around a holiday that is from their culture.
Mostly importantly making parents and students from all backgrounds feel important and included in the school is important.
Great post! Being welcoming is important for any teacher and parent relationship and ELL students are no exception. I would feel very confused and uncomfortable put in the position of an ELL learner. I would be much more likley to be involved if everyone made me feel welcome and a warm environment was created. A smile has a universal meaning in the world♥
DeleteMelissa, you said two different things that I loved. First of all we need to use the resources at our disposal. As teachers, we have endless resources and we need to seek them out and use them. Secondly, I love what you said about breaking barriers. We need to work hard to break all the barriers in education. These will be a daily occurrence.
DeleteMelissa - I really like your idea of using multimedia to help with instruction. This would be a great resource that all students could connect with.
DeleteI like your post, everything that you are saying shows that you care about the relationship first and foremost while providing the ELL students with their best opportunities to succeed.
DeleteGreat ideas! Yes, I know we got some of them from our SLA class, but I like to see connections between my classes. It really shows what we've learned and how important it all is. Great post!
Delete1. In the video there are several challenges listed that ELL students must overcome to be successful in classrooms. Which of these have you done in your classroom when helping ELL students and what were the student’s responses?
ReplyDeleteI have never worked with ELL families or students in my experience. I have known people that have and they have expressed the difficulty involved and the lack of resources by school districts to accommodate for ELL students. They have used IPOD programs to translate, use of other ELL students to translate that are now bilingual, and have utilized their student to communicate with their parents (students can speak English and parents are not able to do so). They are very frustrated with the district and that they place students in the classroom with no system in place-this teacher is an English teacher where language is needed to succeed. The students’ responses were positive and negative from the stories I have heard. Commonly, these students facilitate their conferences and translate between the parent/teacher. This teacher has great relationships with these parents and creates a warm environment for them.
2. Using either the video or textbook, or both, what do you feel are the three most important parent involvement techniques a teacher can implement? Why do you feel these are the "Top Three"?
1. Translate whenever possible- I think translation programs can be very useful for parents to be getting the most that they can. I know that in Waterloo/CF Bosnian copies are given for students. We did have one Bosnian parent but knew enough English that it did not create a problem.
2. Gain the principal’s support- The principal must be willing to find the resources and implement a system into place for ELL learners. Having a translator for the district in the languages needed would provide a huge strive for families.
3. Getting to know the family- Getting to know the family shows that you are trying as a teacher and creating a warm environment for the student/parents. It is important to build on anything that you can and accommodate for them whenever possible.
These are the three most important because to accomplish communication translation, resources (money), and relationships need to be accomplished.
Shandy - Gaining the support of the principal and other administration is definitely important. I know I often forget to look for other resources that are available to me, and it is important to network with other teachers and principals for solutions to problems or for advice. I like that you mentioned the translate program on the IPOD. With so much technology at our fingertips, it is easier than ever to translate and help students of all backgrounds succeed.
DeleteTranslation is very important. I knew of a family that the parents or the younger children didn't speak any English but the teenager could with limited ability. They had the teenager translate sometimes but the teachers were not always sure that the teenager was translating what was suppose to be translated. The teachers often wondered if the teenager was telling the truth.
DeleteShandy, that is a very interesting perspective about the principal support. That is so important to gain that support in all areas of education. I personally asked my principal just yesterday for support throughout the year. You always want to make sure you have the support of those above you.
ReplyDeleteI have never worked with an ELL student and it certainly would pose many challenges. I would try and work through these challenges with the student learning as I go. It would certainly be important to respect their home culture and get to know their family. I think it would also be helpful to use metaphors and experiences from their culture when instructing. Recognizing and building on their strengths is important because ELL students should feel as though they are accomplishing things in the classroom and this could easily be clouded by language barriers. Making sure that, as the teacher, I recognize their individual strengths, encourage them, and build on them would only help to build that student’s confidence in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteFor me, the top three parent involvement techniques would be:
1. Connecting new ELL families with current ELL families. This would allow a family who is already involved and comfortable with the school to help mentor and connect a new family.
2. Translate whenever possible – I see this including sending home materials to parents in their language instead of English as well as translating in the class. Worksheets could have both English and the student’s native language and when reading stories or speaking, both English and non-English words could be used.
3. Getting to know families – I think this is important with many students, but especially with ELL students. It is important for their families to know that you care about their child and are doing your best to assist them in the classroom. This would also open the door for ways in which the parents could help the child.
Erin - The idea of finding other ELL families is a great idea. Even if they are from different backgrounds, I think the idea that their are other people facing the same struggles will make them feel less isolated and allow them to adjust a little easier.
DeleteErin- I have yet to work with ELL's either. I really like how your whiling to learn with them. I also like how you would respect there home and culture. I think it's important for everyone in the class to learn about each other culture. It's also a chance for the student to be themselves and share with others.
DeleteRespecting their family and culture is key, I like how you said that as a priority. If you aren't willing to do those things for the student then the less likely the student will be willing to work with you.
DeleteI agree working with other families would be a great resource! Good idea! You could even find other families outside of your district even for communication or to help with the transitions. Good post!
DeleteI have never worked with ELL students nor did I go to school with any ELL students. If I were to have an ELL student in my classroom I would want my class to learn from them and also the ELL student to learn from the other kids in the class. I would really want to get group activities going so the ELL student would be able to sit in and pick up how things were done in the class. I think the small groups would help the student start to feel comfortable in the class setting. I think it will be very important for the student to have a visual so they are able to relate words to pictures to help them in the learning process.
ReplyDelete1. Conduct home visits- I think it's very important to get to know the families. By you going to there home it may make the family more comfortable to communicate with you, rather than them having to come to the school to meet. I think you really get the feel of who they are as people. Being at home they are able to stay in there comfort zone and will feel more comfortable to communicate.
Create warm environment for parents- It will put the parent at ease to realize that you care so much for there child. By having an environment where a parent feels comfortable coming to you about issues will help have a good school year.
Write and distribute bilingual parent handbooks- I think when communicating with parents you should speak to them how you speak to there child in a classroom setting. By having the handbook written in there language they will be able to clearly know what you expect, but also they can take it as a learning experience. While going through the handbook in English they can read it in there langue and maybe be learning while your going over it.
I have never worked with or been involved with any ELL students thus far. I think the most important thing for them though is to make sure the environment is comfortable for them and they experience a caring, personal relationship with the teacher. As the video said they will already be reticent to express themselves so helping them get to a point where they are comfortable is key.
ReplyDelete1. Build on the cultural values of parents - I think this is important because if I had the roles reversed and I was, for example, an ELL student in Mexico, I would feel much better if my culture was not looked down upon but was made to feel good about it. Not necessarily assume the same values but show the mutual respect of the two cultures.
2. Translate when possible - I think its important to show that you aren't just supplanting their native language for another. The emphasis should be on the fact that you are making them a more well rounded student because you are enhancing both languages and therefore there is nothing wrong with translating as much as is necessary and the parents will most likely respect that approach more.
3. Create warm environment for parents - This is important because as the book suggests that research shows teachers who emphasized personal relationships had more success. This is very important because I don't think that works just for ELL students but for everyone in the classroom and should just be made an emphasis with ELL students and their parents.
1. Although I have not had this experience personally I feel that there are many things that teachers can do to help ELL students and their family. Some options that I might be able to use might consist of recognizing and building on their strengths that they already have. For younger children I could use pictures along with explanations so the students not only hears but sees what they are suppose to do. When labeling pictures I could use both English and the students native language. I could include books in the student’s own language. Recognizing the student’s culture and making sure that you are incorporating it into your lessons to help them feel more connected with the class. In the classes that I have been in with foreign exchange students, I have noticed how important it is not to use sarcasm as it is very difficult for the student to understand. Google translator might help communications between parents and school even if it is not always a true translation.
ReplyDelete2. The three top techniques from the book were to make sure that as much information as possible in the school is bilingual. By having information in the family’s native language it helps the family to understand easier and helps to make sure that things are being translated and understood correctly. Build on the student’s culture because every family feels that their culture and way of life is important. The ELL family would feel more involved and appreciated if their culture and way of life was considered. Visit or have meetings with the family at some other location like their home other than just meeting at the school. Sometimes a school can be intimidating to an English speaking parent. It could be completely overwhelming to an ELL family.
Yes, I like the scaffolding technique! It is important for all students, but especially the ELL's. The cool thing is the things we do to help the ELL's is helping ALL our students! Many students would benefit from pictures and from the teacher talking slower, etc.
DeleteELL students of all ages have a difficult time in school. One major challenge is when the student understands the material but can not verbally tell what they know. Many times it can become a one person conversation when trying to communicate with them. I have worked with ELLs in classrooms before. With many it is finding a way to communicate with the student. Many times their classmates wcommunicate better than a teacher can. Conversations among classmates is a good start to how much a student actually understands and knows. Doing group work is a good way to get feedback from the student. Another huge challenge for ELL students is the different cultures. Students not knowing how the American culture works, can have a difficult time when reading and understanding what is exactly going on in the book. The students do not understand customs therefore reading a book that talks about how people greet each other for example, they would not know what that was. Getting parents involvement is very important early on. If the parents do not speak English either it will be more difficult but if you can get a translator for the first couple of sessions,that would help with further conversations. Letting the parents know the staff at their school is there for that student and to help them all communicate together would build that trust in the very beginning. I would make sure the teacher can communicate someway with u whether it means having someone there translating or having a written way to communicate. This communication needs to be open and the parents need to know that.
ReplyDeleteGetting the parents very involved is super! I think the non native parents would be the ones less likely to be involved because they feel less connected. I like that you want to communicate better and break the barrier.
DeleteI agree with the non native parents not wanting to get involved because basically they are terrified. Having a warm and safe environment that they can come to is very beneficail. Everyone that is involved with there child(ren) needs to be on board in order for the whole family to feel that they belong.
DeleteI have not had an ELL languange learning student, but I do have a parent of a student who does not speak english. To help the students parent we provide bilingual handouts of all material used at school so the parent can better understand what their child is learning. We also provide translation to the parent during conferences and meetings. I think these are some of the things I would do for students, I would also try and make sure that stories and lessons would be understood by the ELL students culture.
ReplyDeleteHosting social events would be helpful because it would allow parents that maybe had similar backgrounds to meet one another. It would also provide a more social environment to meet with the parents.
Distributing bilingual parent handbooks is extrememly important because it allows parents to undertand the rules and expectations as well as what their children are learning at school.
I also think traslating whenever possible is very important because it allows parents to actively communicate and participate with teachers and staff during conferences.
We also have the same situation this year with the student speaking english but the parents do not. We have sent home information that they can understand and the student does very well in translating to her parents. We have made sure to have to create a warm and inviting environment when the parents came in so they did not feel overwhelmed or intimidated. The first meeting went very well and even had some smiles.
DeleteI have not had and ELL students but we do have students that can speak and write English but there parents do not speak english at all. This can be kind of hard to relate any kind of school information that pertains to the student.
ReplyDeleteWhat we have done in the school that I work at is: We have offered orientaion sessions with parents and students. The student translates to their parents what expectations are. We have had mentors for the whole family to make them feel welcomed and want to stick around. As of this year we have partnered with an other school district in working with ELL students and their families. Our school is very supportive of ELL students and their families. The more support that we can give these families will be a good thing. I believe that we are only going to see more families like this in the future.
I have never had the opportunity to work with any ELL students or families. I think one of the biggest challenges that have been faced is acceptance and change. This is not always easy for people to do. So I feel that the following would be important to implement.
ReplyDeleteConduct home visits: Families may feel more comfortable in their own environment. This will also give you more insight to who the person is and what outside activities they may be involved in.
Host social events: During this time students and their families can share their heritage. They may do this by creating posters, bringing in artifacts, and even food. It can also be just a simple as getting everyone together to talk and introduce themselves to others. Build New Relationships
Write and distribute bilingual parent handbooks: this is a way to make sure parents are connected and have an understanding of what the expectations are of your classroom and school. Communication is key.