ESL inclusion

potsu · Post by **potsu** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 10:48 pm

We have just been shifted from a pull-out ESL program (K-5) to an all-inclusion model that seems to be based on Special Ed. inclusion. Does anyone have any recommendations on finding research about this method and suggestions for making it work successfully? Right now we are totally overwhelmed!

Sally Olsen · Post by **Sally Olsen** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 10:13 pm

Why don't you look under some Special Education sites and see what they have as models. I personally think this is the way to go if it is done right and you do a lot of work with the students in the class as well. It is important to get a good atmopshere for the ESL students so they are accepted and valued. That might take a lot of work. Stories are good for younger students and focus groups for older students to brain storm problems. Be sure to listen to frustrated classroom teachers as well and reassure them that you will support them if difficulties arise by either listening or suggesting things they could do to adapt the curriculum. You could help by assessing the ESL students and showing their progress so that the classroom teacher doesn't have to do this in addition to other duties. Support the teachers in classroom discipline as well by taking the ESL students aside to explain this teachers requirements and what they can do to conform. Never criticize a classroom teacher, just try to understand where they are coming from and why they do what they do and don't gossip about them in the staffroom or to anyone who knows them. Praise the things that they do well especially if it supports the ESL students.