Blog 7 ELL

            Since ESL is my minor, the chapter about English Language Learners in the classroom is interesting to me. The number of ELL’s in the classroom is greatly increasing every year. That is why teachers need to become aware of these students in their classrooms. I agree with the speakers in the chapter when they spoke about the benefit of cultural differences in the classroom. I think it is wonderful when there is diversity in a classroom. It is especially beneficial in a social studies classroom. Teachers need to encourage students to talk about their own country’s history or traditions. Diverse students give an American classroom so much more authenticity. Teachers need to use this to their advantage. They need to make the students feel comfortable and teachers need to support the students and let them know that their experiences are beneficial to the classroom.
            I think there are times when it is appropriate for an ELL student to use their foreign language for scaffolding. However, there is a time within a classroom setting that they must learn in English. They can and should speak their foreign language at home and even with friends. However, they cannot become fluent if they do not try to speak, read, and write in English at school. Also, bilingual education could be helpful but it could also leave some ESL students out. For example, most bilingual education classrooms are in Spanish and English. When I moved to the United States when I was eleven years old, I had only been reading, writing, and speaking English for 5 months. My first language was Dutch. There was no teacher in my school that knew Dutch. Clearly the problem is that there will not be teachers that are fluent in every language. Due to my past, I might be a little biased. However, if the student is a beginner and the student is struggling, the teacher should use the first language for assistance if they know it.
            ELL students should work in groups and have discussions. It is much easier to speak up in small groups compared to the entire class. Also, I think it is important for ESL students to work in groups with native English speakers so that they can hear and listen to their English. This will be helpful in their language acquisition process. I love the idea of blogs or journaling. It is a terrific way for students to speak their mind and for teachers to understand their students. These students are so fascinating to me and they just want to be understood and they want to fit in. Teachers need to make ESL students feel comfortable in the classroom.