Teacher Discussion Forums

I teach second grade ESL and I have an instructional assistant in the classroom all day. This year, the assistant is a certified elementary school teacher, which is very helpful while doing various lessons. While reading Negotiating Language Policies in Schools, it discusses the different ways that ...

I believe that another important factor is the location of the United States. Many of the multilingual countries are smaller and close together. Although we do share a large border with Mexico, it is not the same as the European countries. People move from country to country daily in Europe and lear...

During recent reading, I learned about the facilitator model technique of teaching ESL. I believe this model is similar to what some districts call push-in. I currently teach second grade ESL and I have sole responsibility of my students and their grades. Does anyone use the facilitator model? How d...

In my opinion, Bilingual Education is the most effective way to educate LEP students. The emphasis should not be that the students learn English as quickly as possible, it should be that they are obtaining an enriching education. Many argue that the United States does not have the funding to support...

Until recently, I have never hear of Dual Language Programs. I am fascinated by the concept and think that while teaching students of other languages English it would be a great opportunity for English speakers to learn another language. Does anyone work in a district where this approach is used? If...

I teach 2/3 grade ESL students and they are always so excited to learn about the different events we celebrate. We recently did activities for Groundhog's Day, the students were engaged and had many questions about why we have these traditions. I agree that it is also a great opportunity for the stu...

From what I have recently read in my class's required text, the percentage of ELs placed in special education is increasing. At the school where I teach, the Child Study Team is reluctant to place an EL into special education due to the concern that it may be their english language constraints and n...

I try to involve the student's parents as much as possible in the various activities we do throughout the school year. I send reminders home for back to school night and parent teacher conferences. I also invite their parents twice during the year for story time. At this time the parents can listen ...

I feel that it would be extremely difficult for educators to be able to preserve an ELL's L1. There are many students with various cultural backgrounds who need to know the importance of their native language and culture. However, in my opinion, it is up to the individual's family to pass on what th...

While reading Forbidden Language, I became very interested in the section that mentioned that parents have a right to waive their children from enrollment in an SEI program and can attend a bilingual program if there is at least 20 students of the same grade level and language in a school. I wanted ...

I am currently reading Forbidden Language, by Patricia Gandara and Megan Hopkins, and I am astonished by the statistics quoted related to the high drop out rates for EL students. Does anyone know if schools that have bilingual classrooms have a higher success rate of EL students completing high scho...

I recently began reading Forbidden Language, by Patricia Gandara and Megan Hopkins. I can understand why bilingualism is such a controversial issue in the United States, specifically due to the lack of funding. However, I do believe it is essential for this country to provide the education to these ...