Teacher Discussion Forums

I am a slightly rusty ESL teacher in middle school. I'd like ideas on how to make sure that English is used as much as possible in the classroom. It seems to be so tempting for my 7th and 8th graders to revert to their first language, Spanish.

Yes, always a temptation for the spanish speakers.

A little Spanish in beginner classes does have a pedegogical base, but make sure you control it.

Nothing for intermediate and advanced.

Corey

lhamilton wrote:I am a slightly rusty ESL teacher in middle school. I'd like ideas on how to make sure that English is used as much as possible in the classroom. It seems to be so tempting for my 7th and 8th graders to revert to their first language, Spanish.

When your students start helping each other in Spanish, ask them if they can do it in English. If they can't you can step in and help them explain in English. As a very last resort I'd let them explain in Spanish, then follow up by explaining again in English.

Iain