What important factors do you feel are needed when selecting and evaluating ESL reading materials?
I think the most important factor in selecting literacy materials for ESL students is knowing what important qualities to look for in literature selections. For example, the teacher must be familiar with the significance of discussion questions, metacognitive activities, vocabulary, and illustrations.
Discussion questions help with student comprehension and activate prior knowledge. Metacognitive activities such as graphic organizers helps students to think about what they know about the reading topic. It also helps readers to organize their thoughts before or after reading a selection. Vocabulary helps students learn the meaning of words and further supports learning the language. Illustrations are perhaps the most valuable to ESL students because pictures help students follow along and understand the general idea of the text even if they do not understand every word of the language.
Another critical factor to consider while choosing literacy materials is to try to find a variety of selections. Even if the teacher has limited books, he/she should try to go to various locations such as the school library, other teachers, or public library to find appropriate literature.
When I try to pick a book for my ESL lessons, I ask myself these two questions: "If I were a child, would I be interested in this book?" Also, "If I as a teacher don't like reading this book, how could I expect my kids to like it?"
What are your thoughts regarding promoting literacy in second language learners?
I believe that helping ESL students acquire literacy is an excellent method for helping a child to learn the language. It can further help them grow interested in the surrounding culture and environment. Reading can also help children learn about themselves and the people around them. I definitely support promoting literacy for ESL students. I could not imagine teaching without encouraging students how to read.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Teaching ESL
I have wanted to be a teacher since I was about 10 years old. Although I tried to consider other careers, I finally realized during my sophomore year in college that teaching was what I was supposed to do. I have not regretted my decision since.
I first started teaching ESL August 2009. I am still learning a lot about ESL, but I always love learning new theories, techniques, and strategies, and applying them into my classroom. Teaching in general is a very rewarding career. However, I especially enjoy teaching ESL students because these particular students are motivated to learn the language in order to survive in their new environment.
The county I work for is a small, rural area. I am the only ESL teacher in the county. I travel to different schools and utilize the pull-out method in order to teach my students. Even though I have only taught for two years, both years were vastly different from each other. The first year I was trying to "get my feet wet" and adjust to the job. I was also trying to get to know my students. This past year was completely different because I had a lot more new students, plus most of the ones I had the previous year. I am sure there are going to be a lot more changes to this coming year as well.
Teaching ESL students definitely keeps me on my toes. When a potential ESL student walks through the doors of any of the schools in my county, I find out about it quickly. Then after they are placed in a classroom, and they test as an ESL student...the adventure begins. I love getting to know each student, learning their strengths, learning what they know about the language (if anything), discovering who they are, and what they can bring to their classroom and school environment. My favorite part about teaching ESL is when they start speaking English. I feel immediate satisfaction even if they only utter one intelligible word.
A teacher who taught ESL in my county before I did once told me, "You never know with ESL. You could get one new student the whole year, or a whole bus load." In my case, that's definitely true! No matter how many students I teach each year, whether it's 1 or 50. I am glad that I have the opportunity to help these students. I hope I am able to do what I do for many more years.
I first started teaching ESL August 2009. I am still learning a lot about ESL, but I always love learning new theories, techniques, and strategies, and applying them into my classroom. Teaching in general is a very rewarding career. However, I especially enjoy teaching ESL students because these particular students are motivated to learn the language in order to survive in their new environment.
The county I work for is a small, rural area. I am the only ESL teacher in the county. I travel to different schools and utilize the pull-out method in order to teach my students. Even though I have only taught for two years, both years were vastly different from each other. The first year I was trying to "get my feet wet" and adjust to the job. I was also trying to get to know my students. This past year was completely different because I had a lot more new students, plus most of the ones I had the previous year. I am sure there are going to be a lot more changes to this coming year as well.
Teaching ESL students definitely keeps me on my toes. When a potential ESL student walks through the doors of any of the schools in my county, I find out about it quickly. Then after they are placed in a classroom, and they test as an ESL student...the adventure begins. I love getting to know each student, learning their strengths, learning what they know about the language (if anything), discovering who they are, and what they can bring to their classroom and school environment. My favorite part about teaching ESL is when they start speaking English. I feel immediate satisfaction even if they only utter one intelligible word.
A teacher who taught ESL in my county before I did once told me, "You never know with ESL. You could get one new student the whole year, or a whole bus load." In my case, that's definitely true! No matter how many students I teach each year, whether it's 1 or 50. I am glad that I have the opportunity to help these students. I hope I am able to do what I do for many more years.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Teaching ESL
I am the ESL Coordinator for Humphreys County. I have been teaching ESL for 2 years. I really enjoy my job and working with these students. It is so exciting to receive new students and watch them develop in their languages skills and blossom in their school and environment. I hope I can continue doing what I do for many years to come.
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