Teacher Discussion Forums

Often times, when new administrators take charge in schools, programs, or otherwise they fail to review and evaluate systems that are in place. As fate would have it BE programs are an easy target for these individuals because they represent the minority of students. Personal ideologies trump viable...

As you well mention, in today’s society everyone must look for an advantage in order to succeed. ELLs are poised to do just that if educational systems provide quality opportunities. Said opportunities begin and end with full recognition and respect for the language, culture, and other assets that t...

The research indicates that BE helps ELLs close the achievement gap with NESs, yet politicians continue to put policies in place that hinder this valuable tool for ELLs. The amazing thing is that educators have not revolted against these ideas en masse. As a community of professionals we continue to...

I agree with you that mainstream teachers need to be trained in ESL methods due to the high influx of foreign born students into our schools. In regards to co-teaching, I believe that teachers cannot be "thrown" into a situation like this without training. Teachers have to be trained on how to work ...

I also think dual language immersion is a great idea but many districts, especially the larger inner city ones, will not buy into it. It would not be very cost effective for them because more teachers would have to be hired to teach in the languages necessary to satisfy the student population. In ad...

Language embodies the essence of who you are. It denotes culture and tradition. In addition, an individual’s sense of belonging is reinforced by the language he/she speaks. We must value a person's language in order to validate who that person is. In chapter 9 of Forbidden Language the authors site ...

I believe that ELLs should be grouped by English language ability first and within that scope a further division must be made for academic skill level. When you consider language ability first you reinforce the skills already learned in English and can continue to challenge them. Academic skills gro...

Lawyers, lawmakers, and the public at large want students to perform well on tests at the expense of true learning. True learning takes time and students have to be ready to learn whatever it is that is being taught to them. Mere exposure does not guarantee learning. Mastery of English is a long pro...

I like to have my students sit in cooperative groups so they can bounce ideas off each other and help each other with their work. I teach at the middle school level and most of the time I have to remind them to get back on task because they are more interested in the social aspects of school. Any id...

You are so right. I think it behooves the powers that be to start thinking about our students and not about their own advancement. Sometimes we forget the awesome power we have as teachers, administrators, etc. to affect lives. We should always opt to advance the lives of children because they are t...

I am a bilingual teacher and I have a lot of new students that have had very little schooling in their own countries. A majority are non readers in Spanish. If anyone has this situation, how are you helping these students?

I just started reading this book for a class but I have felt as you for a long time now. A few years ago I read an article that described the struggles of Bil Ed students and teachers. I thought it was a current article but when I checked the date, it was written in 1979! Little seems to change in B...