Blog # 3


Here is an interview that I conducted with a teacher in the FBISD, Mr. Lee. He gave great insight on ELL’s students and being an ESL certified teacher.  Click here to watch my video.
Reflection
During this interview I learned a lot about ELL students and the high demand needed of more ESL teachers. I have always realized the struggle and need for ESL teachers but it wasn’t until this interview I completely understood the importance and its value. After speaking with Mr. Lee, I am inspired to want to become ESL certified to better help and teach my future students. I think a lot of what Mr. Lee stated about making sure parents are on the same page as the teachers is true. Right now in my mentor teacher’s class, there are two students who do not speak English as their primary language. What’s worst is although they are involved in the Pull-Out program; where they miss lots of vital information. Then, at home they are not using English but speaking their primary language. It makes it hard for students to obtain the needed information if at home it isn’t continued by their parents. I think in kindergarten it is especially important to make sure those teachers and parents are on the same page because for most students this is their first time in school. According to Brown & Lee, “there are many opportunities for communication outside the classroom. Don’t just give homework, instead involve the students to seek feedback, visit different places, listening to radio and TV from others and invite speakers into your classroom and/or home.” Its important students have many different resources to help with their language barrier.
Mr. Lee stated “with so many students it’s hard to ensure every child is permitted an aide in their classes.” Meaning that a lot of times students aren’t receiving the help they so desperately need because there isn’t enough trained staff on hand to help. Depending on what level the student is on will greatly impact the student’s ability to learn and comprehend the English language.
Reference:

Brown,H.D. , & Lee, H. (2015). Teaching by Principles: An Interactive Approach to
Language Pedagogy (4th Ed.). White Plains, NY: Pearson Longman. 

Comments

  1. UnknownOctober 22, 2017 at 9:56 PM

    Hi Jolie!

    I like the fact that you were inspired to want to become an ESL certified teacher. I feel like that I would also like to become one as well. After seeing how much work and care those teachers had done for me when I was learning English makes me want to do the same for my future students.

    I agree that parents and teachers should be on the same page. I know this for a fact because my parents, especially my dad made sure that I was getting all the help I could get. I remember how he tried to stayed in touch with my teachers even though he was busy and was always willing to buy extra materials to help me with my learning.

    The school that I am currently student teaching at also uses the pull-out program. I also think the same way that the ELLs are missing out a lot of information when they are taken out of class even if it for a short amount of time. Moreover, they not only lose out on learning the content but also the time they have for interaction with their classmates. As it states, “they know how to negotiate meaning so that the process of comprehending can be complete rather than being aborted by insufficient interaction” (Brown & Lee, 2015, p. 325). This proves that having conversations with others can be just as important as building comprehension through reading.

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    Replies
    1. UnknownOctober 24, 2017 at 4:01 PM

      Thank you Lina!,
      I appreciate your kind words when reading my reflection and listening to my audio interview. I love the fact that you as well would like to become an ESL certified teacher, due to the fact it’s not that many of us. You mentioned your parents very involved in your transition from your primary language to English which I think is beyond great because many parents don’t have the time or tools to help their children at home; so having such supportative parents is so important. “When teaching and learning an additional language , we must be aware of the complex and dynamic relationship between the language and cultural customs” (Brown & Lee, 2015, pg.157). Many of the problems with language barriers go beyond the classroom; it’s what the students go though day in and day out at home, and real world connections. I think if more classrooms witched up their program and used the Content Based Instruction more students might benefit. The professor I interviewed Dr. Lee, stated how he wished they had the resources and staff to make the change however, at this time they are very limited. He agreed it was the better program preventing from students losing the connections and interactions with other students. Besides becoming an ESL certified teacher, are there any other things you think you’ll do to help with the ESL teachers and ELL students?

      Delete
    2. UnknownNovember 5, 2017 at 8:38 PM

      Jolie,
      During my student teaching, I feel like I have gained a lot of experiences already. In the class that I’m in, we have a wide range of ELLs with different proficiency levels. In addition to the students being pulled out to go work with an ESL specialist, I feel like my mentor and I have been doing our best so that each student is getting the help they need to be successful. To answer your question, I have been able to work with students and helping them learn their vocabulary, spelling, and even sight words. Based on my experience as an ELL, I know that making sure to have self-motivation is extremely important. The ELLs need to learn that they are learning the language to better and help themselves.

      Delete
  2. Julie HoNovember 5, 2017 at 10:01 AM

    Hi Jolie!
    I was interested in the part when your interviewee mentions how there was a high demand in more ESL teachers. This reminded me of the video we had to watch for our most recent quiz and how Dr. August said there is not enough resources for teachers to use to help ELLs in their classrooms. My goal is that one day I can go and get ESL certified to I can assist students in the future. Thank you for sharing!

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  3. UnknownNovember 5, 2017 at 12:28 PM

    Jolie,
    It was really interesting to watch your video. The way the teacher may be helping the students is very motivating. Because like you had said it can get very difficult to assist ELL students because it can get tough for a teacher deliver certain message to the child. But also if the parents are not supportive then it can get tough for the teacher. But it is very good your teacher is receiving the help from the parents. That way the teacher and parents are able to work together to help the student become successful. Because as you mentioned before within the school students are always used to learning new concepts but then once they get home they are not familiar with the learning concept since they are back to talking the normal way within their household. So with the help of the parents it can become easier to help the student accomplish the criteria within the school and home.

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  4. UnknownNovember 5, 2017 at 6:01 PM

    Hi Jolie! I really enjoyed your interview with Mr. Lee. I really liked how Mr. Lee went into detail when explaining how his classroom looks like in comparison to a regular content classroom. These details are very helpful when thinking about how to set up our future classroom, so we can still differentiate for ELLs through the environment. Having more visuals for ELLs definitely is key!

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  5. UnknownNovember 5, 2017 at 7:00 PM

    Hello Jolie,

    Your interview with Mr.Lee was different in a sense of perspective for me, I haven't gained a lot of exposure to methods use by teachers of older students but it's interesting to gain an understanding of the differences in methods there is in comparison to early childhood.
    Closer to end of the of the video Mr.Lee mentioned his view on assessment of how he prefers oral assessment, I wonder if this method of assessment would change based on the advance on the English language of the student.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wei HuaNovember 5, 2017 at 10:00 PM

    Hi, Jolie, I agree with what Mr. Lee stated about making sure parents are on the same page as the teachers. Once teachers and parents work together, it can help students to learn effectively both at school and home. Teachers teach knowledge at school, but students still need to practice at home. It is why it is necessary for teachers and parents need to work together.

    ReplyDelete

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