English Learners

There are five English Learners in the Kindergarten class I work with. I have worked with this teacher for two years now and I am impressed with her ability to include all the children. I think I will just list and comment on some of the many things she incorporates in to her class to support her English learners.

1. She teaches them the Pledge of Allegiance in English and Spanish. They sing the birthday song in English, Spanish and Sign Language.  I think this helps all the children. Those who don't speak Spanish can learn and understand that people are different, but that's a good thing. Those who don't speak English can also learn, but they can have that comfort of their first language. I also think this builds on common ground. Everyone celebrates birthdays and sings birthday songs.  The children can see commonalities.

2. Reading materials. There are different sections on each reading sheet that comes home each day. She gives each child the same reading sheet, but for two of out ESL students, she doesn't expect them to read all the sections like the other students.  They struggle more with English and she focuses more on the basics with them.  There is one girl that can read everything you but in front of her, but she can't answer any questions about what she read. She lacks comprehension. So, her reading involves more question and answer practice than some of the others.

3. She puts an ESL student next to a chatty english-speaking student. She says the quickest way for them to learn English is to sit by English speaking students. Of course, that makes sense, but I hadn't thought of that before.

4. She speaks Spanish.  What a huge help.  If you don't speak Spanish, and the parents don't either, how can you communicate? Often times the student becomes the translator. That is my biggest question right now...do I seek some type of Spanish classes, if not a degree in Spanish ? How much more effective could I be?