working with more and more ELL
The last 2 terms I've had a Spanish woman in my classes, she is the nicest person but doesn't 'get it' sometimes because of the language barrier, and I would try to make my instructions as simple as possible, or show her how to do the task, or ask another student to help her that I thought was good enough at the task already.
Cynthia,
this is a great idea as the pictures really help bridge the language barrier.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I find using visual aids helps with my ESL students. I encourage them to also use more visual aids when presenting to the class so that we all understand each other better.
We have a faculty member who we can refer ELL students to when they are having difficulty. He uses the vocabulary technique described in the course where they will write the troublesome words down and practice pronunciation, definitions, and applications. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work. I identify the ELL students in the first day and follow tham as closely as I can. I ask to see their notes because I have found that the ones who struggle the most are the ones who take notes in their native language and then have to translate it into English. I try to encourage them taking notes in English because they have more difficulty in application and context if they don't. They must use correct English grammar in handing in assignments. Unfortunately, I had 2 instances where the students could not keep up with the course if they wrote in English and both did not succeed. One had a bachelor's equivalent in her native country and had taken an ELL course prior to starting the course. I had a lot of difficulty understanding her written assignments because even though they were written in English she still used Chinese grammar. It was very sad because she was so educated and she was devastated. Even though she worked with me, another student, and our faculty member, she was unable to succeed. I encouraged her to pursue her education in the area she had been educated in but she really wanted to get out of that area.
Stephanie,
you are right & so we have to be diligent in helping students be as successful as possible. Many time we have peers who have developed or refined strategies & we can borrow techniques from them to help the students.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
It is really up to us instructors to find a way, if possible, to help ELL students succeed. It's been my experience that Admissions and entrance exams do not assess new students' abilities to use English well verbally, reading or writing. Let alone, vocabulary and new word retention.
Kaley,
this is a great story & an example of how we need to be doing all we can to reach these students.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I had my first experience with a Spanish lady who was never given the chance to express herself. Therefor she was not willing to ask questions. I approached her as though she was just the same as every other student and got her to talk to me and she excelled beautifully.
Gary,
this is a good example of where we have to modify & adapt often in our classes. Hopefully through these methods we are better able to reach our diverse student population.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
