Culture...more than just language

Understanding the culture of the students in our schools goes far beyond language, food and holidays. Although I speak Spanish, and can communicate with parents of my students, there are still times when I am reminded that I am ever-learning their various cultures.
There havae been several books that I have read during my time teaching that have given me a glimpse deeper into other cultures.  I know that we are all very busy during the school year, but here are some must-reads to add to your ever-growing "summer reading list."  The book listed are not necessarily in the order of importance.

A Long Way Gone, Ishmael Beah
(about child solider epidemic, refugees, and war in Africa)

The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, Anne Fadiman
(about the hmong people, their history in the US, and sickness)

Enrique's Journey, Sonia Nazarrio
(the story of a child's struggle to come to the USA)

How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accent, Julia Alvarez (lost of books by her are great!!)
(about growing up in Dominican Republic during unrest)

Always Running (in spanish, La Vida Loca) Luis Rodriguez
about lure of Spanish gangs in Los Angeles--students LOVE this book, and it is available in Spanish :)

The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini
takes place in Afghanistan during turbulent times

I know that there are more out there. Feel free to add comments to this posting about books you have read that have helped you to better grasp an other's culture, or a book that helps explain your own.

What about culture?



picture from: lewes5.wikispaces.com

Throughout my graduate school classes, and even when I was an undergraduate I always heard that culture plays a huge role in every student's education.  The question is, how do we know about the culture of every student, because culture can encompass so many things.  Many people immediately associate culture with the food or langauge of a particular country, but the truth is that it is much deeper than that.

A fantastic starting point that I have found is the CultureGrams series.  It gives you information such as how children from a certain country greet adults, their feelings about personal appearance, the country's educational system (is school mandatory or not), and gestures.  These are just a few examples of the many insights this resources can offer into your students' behaviors, attitudes and beliefs.

Where can I locate this resouce?

• The ISBN number for the 4-volume set is 978-0-9778091-4-1.
• In addition, they can be found on the internet as an online subscription. Unfortunately, there is a cost involved to be able to use the database, but I used them often (both for myself and to give information to my colleagues).     http://www.culturegrams.com/

The WIDA Can-Do Descriptors: what can I expect from my ELL students?

Content teachers face many challenges, one of them being expectations for their ELL students.  "What can they do?" and "How much can I expect from them?" are questions I often hear from teachers who have ELLs in their classes.

In Pennsylvania, all ELL students take the WIDA ACCESS test each year to measure their English proficiency.  The ELL teacher in your building receives a detailed report that can help you to see the students strengths and weaknesses in their English Proficiency (for example, maybe their listening comprehension is a weakness while their oral production skills are a strength). 

Also, WIDA has produced the Can-Do Descriptors that accompany the student's score.  Very easily, the teacher can see what a certain student is capable of based on their WIDA score in the areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening.

**It is important to note that the Can-Do Descriptors are a  great starting point, but nothing can replace knowing your students.  Though the WIDA ACCESS score is a great place to begin, as with all assessments, multiple measures are the best judge of student ability**

If you click on the link below, you can find the Can-Do Descriptors mentioned in this post.

WIDA Can-Do Descriptors for All Grade Levels

ELLs and Study Skills

QUIZLET: online flashcard generator

ELL students often lack knowledge of study skills.  QUIZLET is a website that allows you to create a FREE account and make flash cards for any topic or subject.  Though it can be time consuming to create them, they stay on the website to be used again.  The student DOES NOT need to create a login to access the flash cards that the teacher has made.


As a bonus--there a pre-made flash cards for other languages! (for those that always say..."I wish I could learn __(insert language of choice here )___.)  **A new feature that quizlet offers is that images can be uploaded to the flashcards that are saved to your computer.  This is a fantastic way to help ELLs learn vocabulary words in context**

 In addition, on the website there are options to learn the words/definitions or play games with them.  This way, the students can do some independent learning of the material OR review for a test.  Although I believe that interaction promotes learning, individual teacher attention is not always possible, especially in the content areas.  Also, QUIZLET can be used to preview vocabulary with ELLs. 


I've found that after students see how their grade improves after studying, they are more likely to do it more often.


Miss L

Content Teachers: adapting and modifying

Adapting and Modifying Content and Assessments for ELL Students

It can be difficult to know where to begin with adapting and modifying both content and assessments.

Bethlehem Central School District has many great tips and tools for beginning to modify assignments and instruction for ELL students at different proficiency levels. Tips for Modifying Assignments for ELL Students There will be more posts on this topic in the future----this is just a starting point.

If you have more ways that you have found to be effective to make content comprehensible for ELL students in mainstream classes, please comment.


Miss L

ESL Classroms: make a book online

STORYBIRD

http://storybird.com/

This website can be used to create books online.  It is free, although you need to create an account. You can even create class accounts so the books can be shared without email. This website could be used to create stories as groups of individuals.  


One use I thought this would be appropriate for would be to practice verb tenses that go with the pictures.  The students could read their created stories in small groups.  This way, through this activity they are practicing reading, writing, speaking, and listening. In addition, they are practicing correct form in context.  


This suggestion is just one way this website can be used---feel free to share others! This activity is adaptable for different levels of language proficiency and grade levels.


Miss L

Attention: Math Teachers and ESL Content/Support Teachers

Math can be a difficult subject.  I know many ESL teachers who are wary of assisting ESL students with math, as they weren't A+ math students in high school themselves.  

Here are two websites that may help.  They feature video tutorials that can help teach math concepts.  This is a great website to share with students, so they can use it at home or at their local library if they are stuck on their homework or need extra review.

Though videos aren't always as effective as a teacher sitting beside the student, at times it is the best option--and it can be paused and watched again!

I hope you find these helpful:

http://www.mathtrain.tv

http://www.khanacademy.org

Miss L

For ELL Teachers and Reading Teachers...

Reading, Listening, and Speaking Practice

Both ELL Teachers and Reading Teachers are posed with the challenge of improving students reading skills, but it can be difficult to monitor improvement, as classes continue to grow and one-on-one time with students becomes more and more scarce.  Also, when many levels of students are in one classroom, it can be quite difficult to tailor listening and speaking exercises to each student.

The website I am highlighting helps to improve the reading skills, listening skills, and speaking skills of ELL students.  It was recommended to me by a colleague, and I have seen it in action in a high school ELL English class.

http://www.englishcentral.com/

Why it's good: 

• It allows more individualized feedback with less one-on-one teacher time required.
• Students are not as shy about reading aloud, because everyone has headphones on, so no one can hear them.
• Also, the computer gives the teacher feedback, so a grade can be assigned for the day.
• The topics are high interest and also on different reading levels--so students want to participate.
• The website highlights specific words students have trouble with.
• It's FREE---need I say more??

Drawbacks:

• Students need headphones with microphones.
• The teacher has to sign up for an account.

Miss L

WELCOME

This blog, ELL Connections, is desgined to connect English Language Learners (also referred to throughout as ELL/ELD/ESL), ELL Parents, Content Teachers, ELL Teachers, and school adminsitrators--among others.

Different posts will be geared towards one or all of these groups, so check back often to find things that are relevant for you.  The posts will be filled with information that I come across, and also resources that have been recommended to me. 

The bottom line is, however, that ELL students deserve the best education we have to offer.  Therefore, all of the posts on this blog will be geared towards making that happen, by connecting resources and information with those who are seeking it.

Miss L