Teacher Discussion Forums

[nthom814]

In some EL programs students are placed in a class based on their English fluency. However, does this mean that a second grader and a fourth or fifth grader could possibly be in the same class because they speak and understand about the same amount of English? Many EL students are with one teacher for the majority of the day. Even if there is only a grade or two difference between the students in the class, wouldn't that make it difficult for the teacher to cover all of the appropriate core academic subjects for each grade level?

[Sally Olsen]

Have you heard about one room schools? On the Canadian prairies, they used to be every 3 or 4 miles apart. The teachers had grade 1 to 8 and some 9 and 10's doing correspondence. 30 to a school. It is possible of course, but probably not ideal although when the older ones help the younger ones they do get a good review or the ones who know help the ones who don't (sometimes it doesn't depend on age).

But I really don't favour ELL students having their own classes. I like the take them out of class for half an hour for one on one tutoring or small classes of students at a similar place for half and hour.