English as the second language and the barrier it can create....
I live in an area of the country where English is the second language for alot of students. I understand all about the "melting pot" we are and appreciate the fact we all want to be successful individuals. I have a hard time in accepting those who don't either want or can 't be bothered to learn English. We can and do make it attainable to receive an adult education, but first let's get them to speak the language well enough to have at least an even start point with the English-as-primary language student. Why offer pre-entrance placement tests in another language? Is it a total reformation of the country as a whole that needs to take place or just an educational one. Opinions welcomed and resolution anyone?
I taught an ELL student for my very first semester of teaching and found that I learned from her as she learned from me. It was a great experience and I enjoyed it. Grading her written work was a challenge but throughout the semester I saw an amazing improvement. Dedication and desire can get anyone through this barrier. Good luck everyone!
Hi Tom!
Good job!
I believe that if students can gain as much as possible in a group of their peers, they are much better off. Further, I do agree that instructors have time limitations and having an alternate plan for those students who need more is absolutely necessary. What it boils down to is student success and positive learning experiences.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
Ed106 Facilitator
For my ELL students, I try to identify them as soon as my first class. Many times they will approach me but I cannot always depend on their coming forward with language difficulties.
If I perceive their skills to be somewhat manageable, I ask them to keep a list of words they do not understand and then I take some time to help them individually after the class or on break.
If in this process it becomes apparent that the student needs more assistance beyond my class time and abilities to help, as outlined in this module I advise additional support through departments at our college designated for this support.
This is a really helpful module.
Thanks Karen - some really good recommendations for working with those students who need just a little extra help.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I find that with ELL students, it's important to identify which skill area in which they are lacking. There is a current student at our school who really only needs practice with listening/speaking, so we have two tutoring appointments per week where the student and our tutor get together and chat. Sometimes they discuss things related to the student's future career, and sometimes they just chat. It has helped his confidence and skill level tremendously.
Another thing to suggest to ELL students is that they invest in an electronic translator device and use it all day in class. This speeds things up a ton for them. They can also tape record lectures and listen back later.
Hi Joshula!
As I read back over some of the materials in Forum 3, English as a second language, I pulled the following as a reminder. These are the the guiding principles that I feel are critical for facilitators to consider when preparing students for success. I quote directly from the materials as follow:
If you do not help all of your students to acquire the needed knowledge and skills required of the field then you will have shortchanged both your students and their employers. If you do not prepare well-qualified students you will find your program gone in very short order.
•Help your students to develop transferable skills in basic workplace competencies, job-related social skills, and higher-order thinking skills.
•Be realistic in what you can do within the structure of your course. You can be very helpful to ELL students but they have to perform at the prescribed level required by the field.
•Be fair and consistent in your approach to all students.
As educators, I do believe that we have challenges in many different areas - being fair and consistent in our approach is the best that we can do for our students.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Expectation, what is the expectation when one moves to a foreign country? I would expect to learn the language and to know what I was saying. I would not expect signs or reading material to be in my language. I would expect natives to be understanding and I would be very grateful. But I have found that people are people and we all want what we want.
Josh
I agree. I am very annoyed when I get a student who can't speak english and was misled into thinking she/he would be accomadated in the native language as far as test etc. I am more than happy to work one on one and explain things in english until the student can retain it but I agree all pre entrance exams should be in english.
