Blog Entry #2
Most often times people that speak a second language are taken under consideration since they are unable to understand certain things. In a classroom you walk into today students are all working together and playing together not worrying about how their partner speaks a second language and may be struggling with english. That is because many researchers and teachers have changed the mindset of children and parents about how they may be thinking about others who speak a second language. It is very important to have experts do certain research on second language and how to improve certain aspects. Because most often times students need additional help with their classwork since they may not be comprehending certain material. So sometimes the ESL teachers take action and try working with the certain student one on one to help better their understanding. By working one on one with a second language student has left many remarkable improvements because the students are getting the space of taking their time to understand and answer without having a lot of people watching them. According to Nath and Cohen (2002), “Knowing the laws that pertain to special education helps teachers make sure that they navigate correctly through the process of ensuring that these children receive the special help that they need and that is guaranteed by federal law.” (p. 501). Every child should be taken in consideration because they need to be educated and if they need help then they should receive any help they may need in order to be successful, because according to our laws as well “No child is left behind.” We may think second language has been well known recently since our country is becoming very diverse day by day. However, second language has been well known for many years ago. There is always different ways to teach and learn a second language over the time depending on the environment. According to Brown and Lee (2015), “An approach, according to Anthony, was a set of assumptions dealing with the nature of language, learning, and teaching. Method was described as an overall plan for systematic presentation of a language course based on a selected approach. Techniques were the specific activities manifested in a curriculum that were consistent with a method and therefore were in harmony with an approach as well.” (p. 15). Many often times dealing with languages have been hard on one end of a person, since you may not speak the same language. But now by having another language being taught at a school is improving many teachers and students ability of learning and teaching a second language. For example, in a high school many students are taking a second language class called spanish. While learning spanish it may be about a test and a grade in school. But when they are outside of school and students tend to remember certain spanish speaking words and may get it right, then it feels like a big accomplishment on their end. Because they remembered another language word at an early age that they were not aware of throughout their life. Many people are taking second languages in a positive way as well. Because even in college there are opportunities for people to proceed their studies with additional second language class they may need or would want to know more about. And that is the best way many researchers can extend their knowledge and help others gain additional knowledge in certain aspects in which we may not have known about. According to Brown and Lee (2015), “Every complex set of skills like learning to play a musical instrument or a sport - is acquired through a combination of observing, focusing, practicing, monitoring, correcting, and redirecting.” (p. 51). Throughout the day people are usually more focused on social media and music now. Many researchers are taking the certain information and improving the learning aspects by having certain songs to remember a second language words better. For example, I learned most of my Spanish words while watching Dora the Explorer cartoon series. And I really loved watching it as well because once I came to high school and took a Spanish class I was aware of certain words so it wasn’t as difficult for me to learn Spanish. However, there are always songs being played on the radio that are in mixed languages. I think that is a great idea of making music. Because adding two languages in music is the best way to gain people's attention with certain beats added. While listening people become curious and would like to do further research to know what exactly they are learning about, which improves their way of learning further as well. Overall, I think the way society is changing and how researcher are accommodating that by interesting people in learning second language with music, early social media approach, interacting in school, and many more are great way to help students and others to learn a second language.
Seemin, I was pleased to see you quoted Nath & Cohen. I have learned so many wonderful things from their book, "Becoming an EC-6 Teacher in Texas", and I am glad you have too. The part where you talk about social media and T.V. shows, such as Dora the Explorer, made me realize that they were probably the outcome of a research. Whoever comes up with Educational T.V. shows have to conduct research of what type of viewers they are hoping to see the show, as well as what age group, and of course, what ethnicity. According to searchers, educational television for children help the child acquire an extensive vocabulary and develop skills to allow them to infer and make predictions (Rice & Woodsmall, 1988). When I read this, it made completely sense and I had never thought about it like this. Children programs typically focus on learning new vocabulary, and as adults we tend to infer and make predictions of what is going to happen next when we watch a T.V. show or movie. Educational shows such as the ones you mentioned, and Sesame Street, Barney, Elmo, etc, are also ways to help non-English speakers learn the English language. ESL students benefit from watching T.V. in English because that will help them practice at home. I believe that is how my sister and I learned English when we moved to the USA.
ReplyDeleteRice, M., & Woodsmall, L. (1988). Lessons from Television: Children's Word Learning When Viewing. Child Development, 59(2), 420-429. doi:10.2307/1130321
Hey Maisa,
DeleteI absolutely agree with you when it comes to children learning a second language from television shows and it can be learning English for many people. Most often times teachers and many others recommend new parents to show educational videos to new babies that way they can understand the certain words quick. One of the most popular TV channel many researchers use to get certain educational videos through is pbs kids. The channel shows many videos that help children learn more about Spanish or English. Also has several other shows that provide more information about certain countries around the world regarding the food, tradition, and etc. By providing educational videos for young children to watch is helping their vocabulary improve as well as their gross motor skills as well. I am glad to hear that you were able to learn English by watching educational videos as well. Because watching videos fun and does not get boring to watch even if the videos are for educational purpose. I think certain research is providing positive feedback from many children as well as adults too.
I did not understand this statement "Most often times people that speak a second language are taken under consideration , please explain to us what you mean. You also cite something that is rather confusing to me; "Nath and Cohen (2002), “Knowing the laws that pertain to special education helps teachers make sure that they navigate correctly through the process of ensuring that these children receive the special help that they need and that is guaranteed by federal law.” (p. 501)" I think you are confusing research and law. These authors are referring to the importance of making decisions in your classroom while abiding by federal regulations, but this has nothing to do with research and best teaching practices. We need further explaining of this idea because it is certainly not clear.
ReplyDeleteHey Professor Avellaneda,
DeleteWhat I mean by the statement "Most often times people that speak a second language are taken under consideration since they are unable to understand certain thing." Every time an individual comes from another country and they are unable to speak English correctly or have an accent to the way they may speak English usually always get made fun of. Because when it comes to being in high school around many different people usually the students that were Indians were made fun of the most due to their accents. Students would talk in an indian accent to start a joke or ask if they had an accent without being friendly and helping them out. In high school many students would hate speaking in front of the class for presentations or feel comfortable working in groups with other classmates because they were always afraid they would get laughed at or made fun of afterwards. However, after working in schools for Extended Day and going to many community services shelters to help out I have came across many people who are always helping others out in a friendly manner that are having trouble understanding the language since they may not understand it. And I think that really helped me understand that the more the people grow older their understanding towards certain aspect changes as well. Because even now when you go to high school theres students always mocking another student due to the way they may talk or other things as well. So I think in certain aspects people taking second language under consideration just to start certain jokes.
Also the statement, "Nath and Cohen (2002), “Knowing the laws that pertain to special education helps teachers make sure that they navigate correctly through the process of ensuring that these children receive the special help that they need and that is guaranteed by federal law.” (p. 501)". Is very inspiring when it comes to special education. Because even if a child may need special education then it is the teachers duty to help the certain child and the child shouldn't be left behind in any manner. Teachers are receiving many support from the district and officials on ensuring the child is receiving any help they may need. And I used the certain statement because I have a child in my student teaching school who is unable to speak English correctly and has difficulty comprehending certain vocabulary words we may be learning for the day. So he is placed in the certain classroom cause my mentor teacher who is also a speech special certified and and ESL certified can help him additionally one on one within a small group if he may need additional help. Because if he has to go out everyday for an ESL class he is missing certain part of an assignment which he may need to stay for. So I think by recommending new teachers to become ESL certified is a great strategy from the government to help students not miss any additional instructions to an assignment.
I also appreciated your thoughts on the need for second language acquisition in schools since our country is so diverse. This is why it is so important for the research to show which methods are actually effective in learning a second language. Researchers are able to take into account intellectual development, attention span, and ways to create activities for authentic, meaningful language acquisition. One thing to take into account when teaching a second language to children would be that children "are less willing to put up with language that doesn't hold immediate rewards for them" (Brown & Lee, 2015, p. 113). Research shows that the curriculum for children, in comparison to adults, needs to reward based, where they are given positive reinforcement at all times. I believe that have an immersion program for children is wonderful for learning a second language, but that the grammar rules and such should be reinforced and taught during pubescent years. I enjoyed reading your post!
ReplyDeleteHey Celisha,
DeleteI absolutely agree with you on helping children feel motivated while learning a second language where rewards are being provided. Because students usually need a positive reinforcement that way they are feeling motivated in a certain way and have the encouragement of continuing to doing something. Teachers are always using positive reinforcement within their classroom for certain behaviors and time management purposes as well. So if positive reinforcement was used for learning second language then that would have many people taking account of learning certain language and many teachers would also use positive reinforcement theory to help many students learn English as their second language.
Hi Seemin!
ReplyDeleteI think you did a really good job of pointing out the many factors that are beneficial for a bilingual student and some of the different ways that can be helpful. I have to agree with you that it is very effective for students to be able to work one-on-one with a teacher, or maybe even in a smaller class with other students. Learner Centered Learning is more accommodating to these types of students as they will be able to get instruction based on exactly where they are academically and how to proceed from there (p.45.) Although, it may seem ideal for students to be able to work with one teacher it can be quite difficult to work with because of the many other students that also require the teachers attention 100%. This learning method is able to target all students within the class and can be much more efficient. I agree with what you mentioned about in Nath and Cohen, it is crucial for a teacher to take into account the certain necessities that specific students such as ELL students may require within the classroom, and how important it is to be able to provide resources for these students to ensure they are successful within the classroom. Great job on your blog entry it was very detailed and easy to understand!
Hey Sharmeen,
DeleteYou are right about it being difficult for teachers to work one on one with just one student. But when it comes to working in small groups with individual students it can get easier for a teacher to assist the certain child. Because right now in my student teaching classroom there are children who are struggling to read and comprehend some of the vocabulary words we are talking about because English wasn't their first language. So within the small groups my mentor teacher and I do running records to help them read books that are on their learning level. Also assist them in learning vocabulary words by knowing how to pronounce them. It can get difficult while helping a whole group of students learn the same concept when they are all different. So the learning record on the students are a great choice in determining the level of each child. And by looking and observing many meetings within schools the teachers are really taking inconsideration and helping every individual the best of their ability to help them become successful in the long run as well. Because failing a child is not going to help them improve in certain aspect. But by providing additional help and support will help all of them become who they want to be and taking learning useful as well.
Seeming, I was really impressed with your response, especially near the end. Personally, I thought that I would not have been able to think about music being incorporated into our daily lives as a way to help students learn a new language off the top of my head. My mind was more on the track of having students be more engaged in experiential and project-based learning such as having projects that are hands-on or could be researched and maybe even providing field trips for them. This kind of learning gives students “concrete experiences in which they must use language in order to fulfill the objectives of a lesson” (Brown & Lee, 2015, p. 50). I like the idea of allowing students to be in the moment of having fun while learning. It just makes it sound more realistic that the students are doing something that is related to the world with a purpose, then they are more likely to relate and retain it better.
ReplyDeleteHi, Seemin, I like what you mentioned about the example of learning another language in high school, students have to have tests and grades in school when they learn another language. I think it is a kind of way to help students to know how much they learned before.
ReplyDeleteHi Seemin!
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that as a teacher our role is to ensure we teach each and every child and they receive proper instruction in order to succeed. Our experiences are only so vast, and undoubtedly as we begin our actual teaching career we will be given multiple experiences that perhaps we are unfamiliar with. The way to best understand or facilitate the instruction for students would be through research! We can learn different approaches to instruction as well. This way we can try to implement them in our classroom. Perhaps like you mentioned, "By working one on one with a second language student has left many remarkable improvements because the students are getting the space of taking their time to understand and answer without having a lot of people watching them. " is the best way to work with that student. Research is definitely a great resource in finding and implementing successful methods of instruction for the student's and teacher's success!
Hi Seemin!
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that as a teacher our role is to ensure we teach each and every child and they receive proper instruction in order to succeed. Our experiences are only so vast, and undoubtedly as we begin our actual teaching career we will be given multiple experiences that perhaps we are unfamiliar with. The way to best understand or facilitate the instruction for students would be through research! We can learn different approaches to instruction as well. This way we can try to implement them in our classroom. Perhaps like you mentioned, "By working one on one with a second language student has left many remarkable improvements because the students are getting the space of taking their time to understand and answer without having a lot of people watching them. " is the best way to work with that student. Research is definitely a great resource in finding and implementing successful methods of instruction for the student's and teacher's success!