Teacher Discussion Forums

[Madeline]

I am sure that teaching students that are at a beginner level can be frustrating and challenging. Students do have little or maybe no knowledge at all in the target language. Right now I am currently an ESL teacher for students who all speak Spanish and this is their native language. I find it not so challenging because I can speak in Spanish also. This helps me because if they do not understand what I am saying in English I can speak Spanish and get my point across. What if I have a variety of students that speak different languages. How would I deal with this with a beginner?

[Sally Olsen]

Learn some of their languages as well. If they can learn English, you can learn French, Arabic, Greek, Mongolian, etc. At least learn the basics that you are teaching them plus encouraging words and instructions - write, sit, share, be nice and work hard.