English as a Second Language/ English Language Learner's

As an ESL student myself I understand these ELL students and know that school can be extremely difficult and confusing for them. ELL students are those who speak very little to no English. These students usually struggle at first because their teachers do not understand them and vice versa or because their teachers do not know how to accommodate them in order for them to learn. I saw an example of an ELL students while observing at Harns Marsh Elementary School (HMES) this student is in the third grade and has recently moved to the U.S. from Cuba. Her name is Camila and she knows no English.

Camila has been paired up with another little girl, this little girl is bilingual and translates for Camila. As Camila’s teacher, I would request for her to have a translator assigned to her during lessons such as Science and Math. This would allow Camila to learn and not distract the other little girl who is also trying to learn. Along with getting her a translator, I would sit her by other children who are bilingual or at a similar English proficiency level. Sitting her with other students who understand her will allow her to develop socially and allow her to make friends. By Camila making friends in school she will be able to assimilate to her new school and the new country she is living in.

Along with surrounding Camila with people who understand her as her teacher, I would teach lessons in ways that benefit her along with the rest of the class. By that I mean have more hands on activities where the students can see the lesson instead of just hearing it. I would also provide her and her parents with websites where she could do her Math or Science homework in her own language. This will allow the student to not fall behind while learning English.  

Reference:

5 Key Strategies For ELL Instruction - teachingchannel.org. (n.d.). Retrieved October 26, 2016, from https://www.teachingchannel.org/blog/2013/10/25/strategies-for-ell-instruction/