Search found 22 matches

by eslwendy
Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:11 pm
Forum: Elementary Education
Topic: Language skills or content?
Replies: 2
Views: 2901

Language skills or content?

When planning lessons for a pull-out format, do you find it better to focus on language skills or the content of area subjects? I know a lot of factors affect this decision. Obviously, once accustomed to a school's curriculum, you become familiar with the units, and what vocabulary is involved. What...
by eslwendy
Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:05 pm
Forum: Elementary Education
Topic: Shy person becoming a teacher
Replies: 7
Views: 11993

As someone who witnessed your presentation and knows you're new to teaching, I thought you did a great job. Believe it or not, when you're with your students you'll be more relaxed than when you're up in front of a group of adults, and are being graded. Confidence will come with time, and no amount ...
by eslwendy
Thu Jun 14, 2012 6:41 pm
Forum: Elementary Education
Topic: new teacher dilemma
Replies: 5
Views: 5073

I think you'll find such diversity in the needs and abilities of the students, that you will be surprised at how you won't be able to be lazy in your lesson planning. Everybody learns differently, and for ELL's that can be particularly true as their can be contibuting cultural factors. At the heart ...
by eslwendy
Thu Jun 14, 2012 6:29 pm
Forum: Elementary Education
Topic: Writing strategy
Replies: 3
Views: 2996

Writing strategy

The district I work in advocates Kid Writing starting in Kindergarten. This means that when the students first start writing, we are to let them make mistakes (as long as it makes phonetic sense i.e. "k" where a "c" should be used), and not worry about punctuation and capitalization. Parents usually...
by eslwendy
Fri Jun 08, 2012 6:38 pm
Forum: Elementary Education
Topic: Nonnative English-Speaking Teachers
Replies: 2
Views: 2647

I am glad you overcame your reservations and are pursuing your dream of becoming a school teacher. I am pleased that research is starting to support the advantages of ESL teachers that are not native speakers. I feel you better understand the difficulties involved. If you happen to be teaching a pop...
by eslwendy
Fri Jun 08, 2012 6:22 pm
Forum: Elementary Education
Topic: Alternative Assessments
Replies: 8
Views: 5074

Alternative Assessments

Aside from the WIDA ACCESS test which is required to be given annually, I would like to get away from traditional tests in my ESL classroom. I feel my students face enough anxiety in their mainstream classrooms. I like to think of my classroom as a place that while growth is expected, can be a more ...
by eslwendy
Sun Jun 03, 2012 3:10 pm
Forum: Elementary Education
Topic: Rapport with "cool" kids
Replies: 1
Views: 2203

I have been in the same situation, and know how frustrating it can be. When I first started in education, I really had to keep myself in check from pandering to these types of students if an effort to get them involved. As you mentioned, you take the time to get to know your students. As an ESL teac...
by eslwendy
Sun Jun 03, 2012 2:59 pm
Forum: Elementary Education
Topic: Problems with group work
Replies: 7
Views: 5293

Problems with group work

I am usually very supportive of the concept of group work. I feel it provides learners with a chance to learn from each other. However, there are some issues that can arise that I would like to moderate. For example, when teaching a class who share a common language, I worry they will default to tha...
by eslwendy
Sat May 26, 2012 5:23 pm
Forum: Elementary Education
Topic: teaching beginners
Replies: 5
Views: 3601

I am starting to feel the same way. I have over five years experience in education, but am just now formally studying to become an ESL teacher. I've learned a lot of interesting things, and figured on top of my on-the-job experience that handling beginners would not be much more difficult than other...
by eslwendy
Sat May 26, 2012 5:02 pm
Forum: Elementary Education
Topic: Smartboards
Replies: 4
Views: 3606

Smartboards

I am very interested in finding ways to integrate technology into my classroom. I have found several helpful sites that could be fun and educational for my students (FYI- just was excited to find a whole forum on here about CALL). However, I do not see a lot of mention of Smartboard use. I use it ge...
by eslwendy
Wed May 16, 2012 9:49 pm
Forum: Elementary Education
Topic: interactive group work
Replies: 4
Views: 3188

I agree with this approach whole heartedly. It could be utilized in classes of all ELL's as a way for them to negotiate meaning and provide feedback to each other. This often helps them come up with the proper grammar together. Also, they are probably more confident among other ELL's, and less embar...
by eslwendy
Wed May 16, 2012 9:40 pm
Forum: Elementary Education
Topic: Maintaining L1
Replies: 3
Views: 2648

Maintaining L1

I was having a discussion today at work with a colleague about an ELL she is tutoring. She is a general education teacher for whom I have the utmost respect. However, she mentioned that she wished this student's family would stop speaking in Spanish at home. Apparently, the student is having difficu...
by eslwendy
Sat May 12, 2012 6:58 pm
Forum: Elementary Education
Topic: ELL Parent Participation at School
Replies: 9
Views: 5885

Parent Participation

A good way to get ELL parents involved is to start small. Invite them into your classroom to teach your class something about their native country with their child. Even if they can't speak English well themselves, they would see that their own culture offers value to the classroom. Another idea if ...
by eslwendy
Sat May 12, 2012 6:43 pm
Forum: Elementary Education
Topic: Positive motivation
Replies: 3
Views: 2622

Positive motivation

I am trying to find better motivators for middle school aged students. At the elementary level it is much easier. Praise, stickers, and homework passes are successful. Those students also seem to have a positive attitude, and want to do well. However, it's often different at the middle school level....
by eslwendy
Fri Nov 25, 2011 7:07 pm
Forum: Elementary Education
Topic: Support from mainstream colleagues
Replies: 2
Views: 1867

Support from mainstream colleagues

I was just talking to a fellow ESL colleague, and we were discussing how nice it would be to get more of the mainstream teachers of our ELLs on board with our efforts. The brief 40 min. pull out sessions we get each day aren't always enough. We are often met with dismissiveness when we make suggesti...