Thank you all for a warm welcome. I am looking forward to working with all of you.
When Dr. Rivera opened tonight's class by asking us to list the different ways we say hello in the languages of our fellow Micronesians, my mind went completely blank, and I was shocked. It was not until then that I learned that I have not connected with my students on such a level. I thought to myself, "Am I not a culturally sensitive teacher?" I think it is time for me to break down the barriers for these students who are Second Language Learners and help them to learn to trust me and to build a stronger relationship with them. I learned that by integrating the primary language into the classroom, even if it's just one word, or saying please and thank you, will build a deeper meaning of respect from student to teacher. Needless to say that students who are ELL act out of frustration, we, as teachers, need to make this transition as smooth as possible.
The CALLA handbook has multiple strategies that not only can be used with ELL students but with all students in general.
One strategy that I would like to point out that we did in class was the "Poem for two voices" it was an interesting strategy and it was a lot more fun to actually do. As we discussed the ways in which this particular strategy could be used, I was amazed at how many different ways we can meet the objective of the lesson and make learning fun all at the same time. We can integrate vocabulary and the students' first language in this type of poem and allow them to be expressive, there is nothing wrong with expression. And the good thing about it is, we are also meeting the newly and fully implemented Common Core State Standards.
This evening's class was full of insight and I am glad that we are able to share our experiences in this profession.
Si Jerome
Welcome to ed668 Jerome! I am looking forward to work with you as a Teaching Content to Second Language Students proactive team member.
ReplyDeleteI got only two words on my paper in our first activity. My native tongue and Hafa Adai. The first thing comes to my mind when we do our first activity is our ESL students. I just realize how frustration they might be when we, teachers, ask them to do something related to our first activity as we did in our first activity without any prior knowledge.
As mentioned in our class discussion, teachers need to consider culture as part of their connection and building the trust between them and the students. Respect will come easily if the trust and relationship between the students (ESL) and teacher is strong.
I like that strategy, “Poem for Two Voices” too. It applies to almost all the subjects. Especially, this time that we do common core and we have to do lots of integration.
Thanks. I hope to start building this trust soon.
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