Hi Brite!
As soon as I read the second part of your question, a National
Geographic article that I recently read came to mind. I’ll address
that first:
The September 2001 issue featured an article entitled “Changing
America” and focused on the effects of the mix of races and languages
in American high schools today. The article focused primarily on one
high school (J.E.B Stuart) in Fairfax, Virginia because of its
international mix of students: “Students come from 70 different
countries, and more than half of them must learn English as a second
language.”
National Geographic had the English-speaking students discuss their
views of students who were in English as a Second Language (ESL)
courses and also talked to students who were involved in the program
to see how they felt about it.
One point that emerges from the story is that students (no matter what
country they are from) segregate based on those with accents and those
without. To quote the article:
`“What’s it like in this school for kids who don’t speak English?” I
ask
The class intolerance is silent...Students in this class reflect a
wide-range of colors and cultures, but all speak English fluently and
with no accent.’
A second issue that emerges is that many of newly-arrived students are
not only unable to speak English, but are illiterate in their native
tongue as well. “If [students] don’t learn to speak English
now...they won’t stay in school—no matter how intelligent they are.
Unfortunately this article is not available online in its entirety,
but I urge you to read it wherever you can find it: Library, friend,
or by ordering a back-issue from National Geographic. There is an
introduction to it online at Nat Geo’s website, and a link to order a
copy of the issue:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/publications/explore.html
Also be sure to scroll down that site and notice the references. Some
have links which may interest you.
The education of non-English-speaking students comes in several forms
including:
Pull-out Program (K-6): ESL students are pulled out of their regular
classroom and served by the ESL teacher for a specific number of hours
per day
Scheduled ESL Classes (7th -.12th grades): ESL students are placed
into ESL classes as part of their instructional day.
Inclusion: Inclusion is a planned philosophy of instruction for ESL
students in which the regular classroom teacher and ESL teacher work
together.
http://antilles.odedodea.edu/ams/ESL%20web/teaching_models.htm
To assure academic achievement, ESL instructors may employ one or more
of the following methods:
Content-based ESL: Instruction in English that attempts to develop
language skills and prepare students to study grade-level material in
English. Emphasis is still on language, but augmented with measured
introduction of academic subject matter content, vocabulary and
beginning concepts
Grammar-based ESL: Instruction in English that teaches about the
language: its structure, functions, and vocabulary, typically
stressing rules, drills, and error correction.
Communication-based ESL: Instruction in English that emphasizes using
the language skillfully in meaningful contexts; less emphasis on
error-correction in early stages, and more on providing understandable
input to encourage communicative engagement and lowered resistance to
risk-taking.
Native-language support: Use of English learner’s primary language to
translate unfamiliar vocabulary or otherwise clarify lessons taught in
English; often provided by a native-speaking classroom aide, but may
be provided by teacher
http://www.ncbe.gwu.edu/ncbepubs/reports/bestevidence/glossary.htm
http://www.wested.org/policy/pubs/fostering/definitions.htm
Parental Involvement:
Multilingual Councils for Parents, a Parents Calling Parents program,
and a Saturday program that trains parents in reading, technology,
English as a Second Language, adult education, and student-learning
activities for use in the home.
http://www.houstonisd.org/Pubs/SOS/2000/Goal1.htm
I hope this tells you what you need to know and provides you with
links to additional useful information.
Thank you for using Google Answers—K~
Search terms used: ESL "student achievement", ESL "teaching
techniques" |
