Targeting the problem, finding a way for the student to understanding the material by hand-on training, powerpoint presentation and etc.
Develop a pattern of study skills that allows them at least 8 days to read and understand the materials.
Providing the material in English, then Spanish, and also including graphics when possible sounds like an excellent idea. How about the logistics of preparing all of this in two languages? Who translates? Doesn't this take an enormous amount of time?
Jennifer,
this is great & your students are fortunate to have such a class & instructor to help them.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I actually teach Developmental Reading. It's interesting to find that most students know how to read, but have no skills that will aid them in their retention or recall. We spend the first week and a half of class learning pre-reading and during reading techniques. It's amazing how many students don't even know how to properly underline. The skills taught in my class are vital because this information is transferred to every other class that they will take throughout their college years.
Identifying vocabularies and key words in the course is important. Frequent use these words to explain key points using different examples. These words with time will become common words to students and will be easy to understand and use.
Reading and writing issues are not just confined to language barriers, but also students challenged with dyslexia and ADS. Very bright students that deserve alternative learning and testing techniques.
This unit really helped me to understand the importance of taking time to help students with reading deficiencies by reinforcing new vocabulary with appropriate applications in my instructional units and teaching methods. Thanks.
You would first need to talk with that individual to see where their weak areas maybe. Give pictures as a visual aid because some individuals learn by graphics. It would mainly depend on the student.
David,
great story. I think this demonstrates how to help these students & also demonstrates that sometimes the best help for them comes from their peers, rather than instructors.
Dr. Ryan Meers
When I was in school, I was a part of a group project. The instructor met with some of the students she was familiar with to ask us a question. She wanted to know if any of us would be willing to take on a new member. This member had a tough time grasping the English language and asked the group if they would be patient with their new member and to not leave them out of the main group work. I thought this was a great way to help out this student. By having fellow students who are willing to take extra time out of their busy schedules, it allowed this student to succeed and eventually overcome their learning barriers.
Along with my teaching of Computer Programming Languages I also serve as a volunteer tutor for adult ESL students. These ESL students speak fluent Spanish and have some difficulties with reading and understanding English. One of strategies which works for me is to have the students read the English version and then discuss the passage in English. After we have done that I provide a Spanish translation of the material we just covered. My students really appreciate that since it allows them to see and hear the Spanish translation of the English we just read.
Another strategy is to use pictures and graphics of the English words and phrases we are working with.
Ron,
unfortunately we sometimes encounter these situations where we have such a limited time there is little we can do. In these situations perhaps helping the student identify & come to grips with his own struggles was helpful.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I think that working with students in lab situations are the key to see if they understand what they are reading. I have recently came across a student that was using a manual by pictures only because he had poor reading skills.I worked with this student but he did not pass the course.I feel that the 3 weeks i have this student in my class there was not much i could do at this point.
Shantel,
Thank you so much for sharing your story & also your insights on how to help ESL students especially from your first hand experience.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Learning any languge is a long term task and requires diligence and sheer repetition.
English is my second languge also. What has been helpful to me is reading out loud and making word associations or "picturing the words" while reading helps me to understand those abstact words. Words without association seem like just strings of letters and are difficult to understand. It takes longer to read a paragraph but it is better for the deveopment of comprehansion and retention. The more you see, hear, and experience the word helps overcome reading deficiencies.
Sensitively acknowledge and empathize with students. This will creat a safe environment that encourages students as they are working toward their goal.
Miriam,
This is a good strategy & definitely helpful when the student doesn't get frustrated. I think sometimes this can be helped/avoided if we make sure that we don't get frustrated either.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Practice and repetition. I had my student read aloud and repeat the words until the pronunciation was correct. I was fortunate my student did not get frustrated and kept trying. Being that we discussed the importance of "jargon" in our profession he knew the importance of learning the terms.
I cover materials in short lessons and then assign what we have covered. If they use what I have taught correctly, I am more confident that they do understand what I have taught. In addition, I encourage my students to carry a dictionary with them and teach a section on using it. I have one in my brief case that sets on my desk in class.
Timothy ,
Great job on providing that good feedback on a regular basis. And you're right the repetition is what is going to help them the most.
Dr. Ryan Meers
