View Content #6760
| Contentid | 6760 |
|---|---|
| Content Type | 1 |
| Title | Ideas for Involving Parents of English Language Learners |
| Body | An FLTEACH user suggests the following activities and topics to encourage parental involvement with ESL students: First, make the students' families part of the content of the class. One of the ways I do this is to ask students to reflect on how their language and culture is different from American culture or from the other cultures and languages represented in the class. An example of this was when I asked students about their culture's concept of sharing food. A rich discussion ensued that included how, in some cultures, it is obligatory to share what you have with your neighbors. I ask students to question their parents about whatever topic we discuss to see if their parents can offer other insights. This brings parents into the classroom through their children. This sends a message to the parents that their input is welcome and to the students that their parents should be viewed as resources. Once you begin including parents in this way, other ideas will emerge that can help bridge the gap between the classroom and the home. Holidays are another topic that can be studied in this way. Students should be asked to share their practices and get input from their parents about those practices. At first, students can be very reluctant to share this type of information with the class and you need to be patient and encouraging. After a few months students would report that they had discussed our class topics with their parents and also began sitting with their parents to watch the news from their home country and having discussions about these topics. Using the students' family and culture as part of the content of the class is based on "Comparisons" standard from the ACTFL Standards. It really gives the students and their families ownership of the learning process. On the school level, do parents feel welcome when they come to the school? Is information provided in their language? Is there translation at meetings with parents? Are there English language courses or other courses offered to parents free of charge? Are the students' culture and history represented in the curriculum of the school? All these things go a long way to making parents feel welcome and encourage them to see their children's school as a place that supports them rather than an intimidating place that excludes them. These are not activities that a teacher can do on her own but need to be part of the commitment of the school to the ESL students. Scalera, D. Re: Parental Involvement with ESL Students. Foreign Language Teaching Forum (FLTEACH@LISTSERV.BUFFALO.EDU, 14 Sept 2007). |
| Source | FLTEACH |
| Inputdate | 2007-09-23 10:24:15 |
| Lastmodifieddate | 2007-09-23 10:24:15 |
| Expdate | Not set |
| Publishdate | 2007-09-24 00:00:00 |
| Displaydate | Not set |
| Active | 1 |
| Emailed | 1 |
| Isarchived | 1 |
