Blog 4

I took this class, CUIN 4361, and CUIN 4303 simultaneously. I believe that this gave me a great look into how it would be working with English Language Learners. As an educator, I can use what I have learned in this class in my future classroom. It provided me with great insight into how to properly run a classroom with English Second Language students. Though it is not necessary that every student in the classroom will be an English Second Language learner, it is necessary to understand how to best work with those students. 
Throughout this course, we used Foundations for Teaching English Language Learners Research, Theory, Policy, and Practice by Wayne E. Wright. I believe that this book provided amazing insight for future educators. It covered topics such as Labeling English Language Learners, Traditional Second Language Approaches, and several research topics. I believe that this book provided a great amount of knowledge for those educators that intend on working with English Language Learners.  
From this course, I learned that the educator plays a major role in the language learning of a student. As a teacher, you have to set the stage for students to be able to learn. You also have to take into consideration that every student learns in their own way. You have to take time to understand each students learning style. With visual learns using pictorial models when working with them with their English. With auditory learners you could use audio tapes to help reinforce their learning. And with kinesthetic learners, you could use a hands-on approach to help ensure they are understanding their learning. Before you are able to even begin teaching your English Language Learner you have to identify them. The process itself varies from state to state, and within the state from district to district, but for most schools, a home language survey is sent home upon enrollment. The purpose is to determine whether the home language is anything besides English. Once it is known what language is spoken at home the student is administered a English language proficiency test. (Wright, 2015, p.3) This test is used to properly place the student in English Second Language classes.  

Comments

  1. UnknownJuly 3, 2018 at 3:57 PM

    I also took both 4361 and 4303 at the same time, and while it was a lot of work, I think it benefited me to learn about language acquisition and language methodologies simultaneously. I think that it is important to address individual learning styles as well by making adjustments to instruction. Wright tells us that, “intelligence is multidimensional; thus, classroom instruction should be designed to maximize learning according to the particular set of intelligences a child may have” (2015, p.63). By using different strategies in our classrooms, we can address our students’ individual needs so that their learning process is optimal for them.

    Wright, Wayne. Foundations for Teaching English Language Learners: Research, Theory, Policy, and Practice. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon, 2015. Print. Second Edition.

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    1. UnknownJuly 6, 2018 at 2:44 PM

      Hi Morgan, I am glad to hear that I was not the only one that was taking both classes at the same time. I agree with you that you do have to address the various learning styles with students. Every student learns in a different way and at a different pace and as an educator you have to be accommodating of that. Accommodations could include "to the extent practicable, assessments in the language and form most likely to yield accurate data on what such students know and can do in academic content areas, until such students have achieved English language proficiency." (Wright, 2015, p.129)

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  2. UnknownJuly 3, 2018 at 4:55 PM

    Hi Nayab Vapiwalla,
    You discussed the impact educators have on ELLs. Every teacher has an ELL in the classroom and sometimes people can think that bilingual teacher are the teachers that work with ELLs. Every teacher has the responsibility to develop their knowledge concerning new research and theories. It is not enough to just learn about research but also how it will impact and work in the classroom with the students. Wright discussed the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974, which that educational opportunities will not be denied to an individual no matter the race, color, sex, or national origin (Wright, 2015). Acts and Court decisions like EEOA protects students and their education. ELLs keep are classrooms diverse along with the the the many different learning styles students have in general. Teachers knowing the impact certain strategies have on students, better equips students to learn. In the review lesson 5 about Time and Space, George C. Bunch talked about the impact student interactions have on learning the new language ( Cheuk, 2013). It provides students a model they can learn through, knowing the impact cooperative learning has teachers can implement this in the classroom.

    Wright, W. E. (2015). Foundations for teaching English language learners: Research, theory, policy, and practice. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon Pub.

    Cheuk, T. (2013). Overview of middle school ELA unit video cases: persuasion across time and space. YouTube.

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  3. UnknownJuly 3, 2018 at 7:06 PM

    Hi Nayab,
    I enjoyed reading your reflection. I too felt that this course in particular gave me a great foothold in preparing for teaching ELL students. The topics and video that we have had in this course are great materials that will aid us in teaching a variety of students. The parts that I know I will remember from the text will be the list of strategies for teachers. I want my classes to be focused on reading. Through different reading materials, ELL student can have several opportunities in encountering the English language (Wright, 2015. p. 185). With each reading material, ELL student can see and understand the way the English language is structured and thus can begin to learn more about the language to be able to add it to their native language.

    Wright, W. E. (2015). Foundations for teaching English language learners: Research, theory, policy, and practice. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon Pub.

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    Replies
    1. UnknownJuly 6, 2018 at 2:50 PM

      Hi Eddy, I am glad that you enjoyed my reflection. I agree that this course provided us with great materials that we will be able to use in our future classrooms and use to be able to assist our students when it comes to their English Language Learning. I personally want to focus on math, and as Wright states, "Mathematics is one of the main subjects covered on state high-stakes tests, and therefore, along with language arts, it tens to get the most attention in the classroom." (2015, p.270)

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