Tasks Week #2

Article 2

Journal Reflection
Title: Preparing Classroom Teachers to teach English Language Learners
Authors: Tamara Lucus, Ana Maria Villegas and Margaret Freedson-Gonzalez

Why do teachers have trouble teaching English Language Learners in the classroom?  The above journal article provides important knowledge about the ELL’s and how to teach the ELL’s.  The number of ELL’s is growing rapidly and teachers need to be prepared because it is very likely teachers will have at least one ELL in their classroom.

Learning about an ELL is the most important thing a teacher can do to help their ELL.  If a teacher gets to know the student’s cultural background, behaviors, and the student’s level of academic education or knowledge, a teacher will have a head start on what strategies to use to effectively teach.  Teaching a lessons or encouraging reading in their native language, providing a social English conversational interaction between classmates can be a start.  In addition, it is important your ELL is comfortable, free from any frustration or anxiety in the classroom.

Once a teacher understands who their ELL is, strategies can start to be implemented to guide the student to academic success.  Through differentiated instruction, the teacher can build on the student’s strengths to help their weaker areas.  Scaffolding the student with tiered lessons can help to ensure all students are engaged at an equal level of understanding.  Teachers can do their part to examine research based journals or take an extra step to continue their education by taking a course or two at a local college or on-line.