Chukwuka,
Well done! Sounds like you have made a safe and non threatening environment in which to learn. It seems the students are feeling the freedom to express themselves in this type of learning environment.
Arlene Muller
Your ideas might work, but my classroom is a lower-division college-level course. I only see my students for 50 minutes a day and things move very quickly, as you can imagine! His writing seems to be okay, but he is much more hesitant about speaking. Thanks to this class, I've checked with him about perhaps changing some of the course requirements. There is an oral presentation requirement, but for this student, perhaps it would be better to do a written report.
Thank you for your help!
The learning environment we have is very unassuming. There is no precedent condition or requirement. Students find out when they come to class that they can ask any question or make comments according to their undertanding of the topic of discussion. Those questions would then be answered to throw more light on the discussion. Students have ultimately expressed deeper understanding of new concepts because of this kind of learning environment.
Erin,
Wow, you are amazing in your efforts for the classroom. Yes, I think if they can find this literature in their native language it could help their comprehension. They would need to read both books. I know more work, however, most ESL students are willing to do the extra work. Currently I am trying to learn German. I find that my first need is to learn phrases and questions that will get me by in a normal conversational situation. My goal is to move on to numbers, time and vocabulary words.
My suggestion is to give him sentences, and questions in English that pertain to the classroom. Under each question spell the words phonetically so he can sound them out. My next recommendation is for him to have a set of English/Chinese flash cards. Check Amazon.com for vocabulary cards. Maybe you can have a class set of different language cards and the students can check out 10 cards at a time. Can you see these ideas working?
Arlene Muller
I have enjoyed reading all the responses to this question in this forum! I have taught for only six years at the college level, both face-to-face and online courses. I don't have much experience with ESL students, although I have one or two in each class. It is sometimes very hard to reach them because they are often so quiet and hesitant. I teach to different learning styles in all my classes, and incorporate multi-modality as much as possible: videos, sound, music, moving the class outside to write sonnets in nature, etc. I vary in-class activities as well: lecturing, large group discussion, small group discussion, listing questions, reading the text out loud, having students perform oral presentations, etc. I have one Chinese student this semester that I can't seem to get through to. He will not participate in my small group activities (even low-stakes discussion) and while his writing is okay, he rarely speaks up in class, and when he does, I cannot understand him. This causes embarrassment for all of us, and I think contributes to his not speaking. I have encouraged him to come into office hours and have emailed him encouragement as well. It is my goal to make my classroom more accommodating to students such as this. You are right -- these students tend to get lost in all the noise. My classroom is easy-going, loud, boisterous, with a lot of laughter and joking. We are also reading texts that are among the most difficult in the English language: Shakespeare, and Milton's _Paradise Lost_. Should I encourage my ESL students to read these texts in their native language? I'm not sure what would be best! Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Donald,
Yes, I agree. Giving your students a safe place to speak English really helps students feel comfortable with a new language. May I suggest they bring pictures of animals from magazines or a children's book and have them use English to describe the animals.
Arlene Muller
I create a welcoming and safe environment in the classroom. I encourage them to speak English as much as possible to practice their speaking and learning skills.
Jeanne,
Once again, your structure of the classroom starting from the first day presenting the classroom rules for your student's success is outstanding. Finding individual time with students is often the hardest activity for a teacher to accomplish. You covered all the rules and expectations plus expressed how life events will happen in their lives will not deter their education. All I can say is EXCELLENT!
Arlene Muller
I like to create a warm, open, welcoming classroom for all my students. All the rules are reviewed the first day and and then I encourage discussion until everyone's concerns and questions have been answered. I then enforce these rules equally with every student consistently.
Most of the rules are the schools rules and they center around attendance, dress, food in the classroom, due dates for assignments, dates and times of tests and the consequences if the rules are not followed.
It sometimes takes a week or so for the entire class to understand that there are no exceptions or special circumstances that give any student a pass on the rules or consequences. I remind them that life happens to us all and we sometimes suffer consequences but each person must be held to the same standard. Once the class as a group understands this, an ease seems to permiate the class as some stop trying to get special treatment.
From day one I encourage my students to ask questions, share their experiences and ideas, and let me know when they do not understand what I am talking about. I ask open ended questions and ask them to share any experience they feel comortable sharing with the class.
I also tell stories about my experiences that relate to what I am teaching them and ask for their input also. I have had wonderful students from all over the world that love to share things about their culture and their country. I have also had very private quiet students that are reluctent to speak in class or in a group. I try to get one on one time with them to help them with any concerns they have.
I think it helps all students to learn when they know they are valued and the teacher wants them ti succeed.
Theresa,
Yes, you are using the pictures and instruments to reach your audio and visual learners. I acknowledge your efforts to do both in this type of leaning program. Where do you see the students strongest response in the presentation of slides, physical instruments or the sound?
Arlene Muller
The learning environment for all learners needs to be welcoming and comfortable. I have learned that with english language learners I must include many visual aids. For example, using a powerpoint presentation with pictures of the instruments we are learning as well as bringing the instruments into the classroom is a great exercise.
Charlotte,
Wow, your efforts are outstanding! Your students will feel the concern, and care you offer for their success. May I suggest that you give each students a 3x5 card before the class ends. Ask them to write what they learned on one side of the card and put a plus sign (+) on that side of the card. On the other side of the card have them write what was confusing in class or an issues or challenge they are facing right now on the side with a minus (-). This may help them write a message to you while they are still in a safe atmosphere with you.
Arlene Muller
As a loud, vivacious, eye-contact-making instructor, I strive to maintain open lines of communication for my students both in the classroom-- before, after, and during, and outside of the classroom, encouraging quieter methods of contacting me such as email. I find that if I regularly check in with students globally and ask them to contact me with any concerns, that those who are shy or embarassed about their position within the class due to the language content are more encouraged to make problems known. I often have the ability to spend time with students in office hours, and will proactively suggest that any students with questions about their writing do the assignment in advance and then sit with me to help revise it before it is due. I may not do as much as humanly possible, but I definitely have success with proactive ELL students who would otherwise be shy or feel left behind.
Paul,
I acknowledge you for allowing the students to feel free from judgements when expressing themselves. I also praise you for making sure that every student has spoken on a topic during your class. This is harder than it seems, but you can create a good system to make sure you accomplish it during every class.
Arlene Muller
I create a safe and comfortable learning environment. Students can participate without the fear of being judged because of what they say or how they say it. In addition, I will make sure that everyone in class has spoken about something.
Since students know that they must offer comments or insight on the material we are covering, I feel that they become more involved and that this contributes to their learning. I want my students to realize that each one of them has something valuable inside them.
Rose,
Providing a safe environment in the classroom allows the students to make mistakes and not feel afraid. Interesting idea that the high diversification in your classroom allows more participation and acceptance. I agree with you. It could be that they are all reaching for the same goals and are supportive when their classmates succeed in their efforts.
Arlene Muller
I try to provide a safe environment for the student to interact by using small groups in the teaching setting. Student that are more likely to participate and more acceptable to interact with individuals of different cultures and belief. My classes are very diversed.
Vatina,
Outstanding! I wish more instructors would use method in their classroom. I present a workshop starting out with the discussion of learning styles. I also present the classroom activities best suited for the learning styles. If you would like me to send them to you just e-mail me at amuller@retentionspecialisttoday.info You can also visit my website www.retentionspecialisttoday.info
Arlene Muller
I start the class with an exercise on learning styles. This way the student can understand his or her learning style. Once completed we as a class discuss each learning style and how he or she should study using the learing that is best for them. Students learn better and score higher when identifying areas of strength and weakness. This also allows me to captivate all learning styles in the classroom.
Megan,
Very wise to connect with your students starting from where they are at their level. It would be great to take it to another level and place their words on the board with the new or correct word you want them to learn. If they have a Spelling Journal they can create their own vocabulary dictionaries.
Arlene Muller
