I'm not sure if my philosophy for teaching ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) will be much different from my philosophy for teaching mainstream classrooms. I think the basics of activities and content will remain mostly the same; activities will be geared toward active participation in learning. Most activities will be measurable and produce something that demonstrates the students knowledge. ESOL students should be treated just like other students and held to the same standards of behavior, even if more time has to be spent explaining and demonstrating the expectations. Every child should receive positive feedback for things done well and instruction for things that need improvement. ESOL students enjoy music and movement and crafts as much as a typical English-speaking student.
I will know little, if any, of the ESOL student's first language, so the student will experience immersion in an English speaking environment. I hope that if I know some of the language I can use it to help demonstrate interest in learning language and cooperating with expectations.
You have time to learn. Knowledge isn't on demand
ReplyDeleteMy philosophy for teaching ESOL doesn't differ much from the things I believe about teaching in general, either! I teach, I care, and I'm fair. Students are taught on their level by building on prior knowledge. I like that you gave many examples of things you believe in for your students. I only know English, so I certainly won't be incorporating much Spanish (or any other language) into my lessons, either!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your philosophy that all students should be viewed as an equal regardless if they are ESl or not. Children need to feel accepted and it is the teacher's role to do so in the classroom regardless of their ethnicity.
ReplyDeleteI said similar things. My ESOL philisophy is pretty much the same as my view of teaching in general, at this point. That might change as we continue through this course! :)
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