ELL
I currently have a student who is learning English as a second language. She speaks well, but her comprehension is not as good. She demonstrates her hands on skills very well but her exam scores are low. It is clear by her answers she does not understand what they are asking. However, she refuses any tutoring or additional assistance. Very frustrating!
Stephen,
and that awareness is the first step toward helping them be successful.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I especially have an issue like this with my Public Speaking students who are ELLs. I give exams every coupla weeks, and I can tell they are unclear with the wording of questions on tests OR even learning new vocabulary.
I think I can pay closer attention to that.
Christie,
this is a great success story. I think the key here is to demonstrate that we are available to help the students & be willing to help them.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I just had a student like this and as a result his work was late all the time. I would ask a question of him after class and then use that one on one time as an opportunity to go over the lessons of class that day and encourage him to keep moving forward. His scores improved and his confidence inproved.
I am currently struggling with a student who English is her second language. She really struggles with written exams because she does nto understand what is being asked in the questions. She has excellent hands on skills becasue she can emulate my actions. I really do not know what to do because I have tutored her but when it comes to testing she does awful! Frustrated too..
I have previously had the pleasure of working with great diversity in my classrooms (language, knowledge, religions, social values, financial situation). I have found that motivation outweighs any problems associated with differences. Students who could barely undersatnd the language frequently performed much better than students who had the idea that things would be easy for them because they knew the language, took a related course, had no financial worries, etc.
The student needs to be held accountable. It must be made clear to them that if they don't acquire the skills needed (by whatever means) they run the real risk of not passing and not succeeding in their chosen vocation, profession, etc. Once they are informed, it is then their responsibilty to make that happen.
Shannon,
unfortunately if the student does not want that extra help or support there is not much we can do to help them.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
