Comments on: New Article On Teaching English Language Learners http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2008/07/04/new-article-on-teaching-english-language-learners/ ...For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL Sun, 06 Dec 2009 01:30:31 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: Eric Roth http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2008/07/04/new-article-on-teaching-english-language-learners/comment-page-1/#comment-2306 Eric Roth Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:01:00 +0000 http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=1652#comment-2306 Agreed. The 19-page article, published in the AFT magazine, made a number of points, including: - the rapid growth of ELL students in public schools - a majority of ELL students are actually born in the United States - smaller class sizes matter - some intensive instruction in the primary language, for an unknown duration, helps improve target language abilities in writing. - huge debate continues over best practices over duration and purpose of primary language instruction. - oral skills often lack written skills - students have difficulty moving from intermediate oral skills to achieving actual fluency - standard tests seldom test oral skills, leading to speaking skills being somewhat neglected in ELL classrooms. Personally, I found the first two pages a bit annoying with its predictable complaints implying the impossibility of a second grader, particularly an ELL second grader, learning everything that is expected by state mandates. Yet when the author moved beyond the "our job is so impossible" frame and actually starting summarizing two major meta-studies of ELL practices, Goldberg provided a balanced, informative, and nuanced article. As an adult educator, I also thought the article made a powerful argument for a huge expansion and deepening of adult education programs if a solid majority of ELL students are actually born in the United States. If you believe that speaking English helps students live in the United States and language and culture are related, then this article provides a litany of troubling details about the state of ELL instruction and public education programs in general. Like Larry, I strongly urge ELL and ESL instructors to read the long, ambitious, and satisfying article. It may become a seminal work in MA programs for ESL teachers. Agreed. The 19-page article, published in the AFT magazine, made a number of points, including:
- the rapid growth of ELL students in public schools
- a majority of ELL students are actually born in the United States
- smaller class sizes matter
- some intensive instruction in the primary language, for an unknown duration, helps improve target language abilities in writing.
- huge debate continues over best practices over duration and purpose of primary language instruction.
- oral skills often lack written skills
- students have difficulty moving from intermediate oral skills to achieving actual fluency
- standard tests seldom test oral skills, leading to speaking skills being somewhat neglected in ELL classrooms.

Personally, I found the first two pages a bit annoying with its predictable complaints implying the impossibility of a second grader, particularly an ELL second grader, learning everything that is expected by state mandates. Yet when the author moved beyond the “our job is so impossible” frame and actually starting summarizing two major meta-studies of ELL practices, Goldberg provided a balanced, informative, and nuanced article. As an adult educator, I also thought the article made a powerful argument for a huge expansion and deepening of adult education programs if a solid majority of ELL students are actually born in the United States. If you believe that speaking English helps students live in the United States and language and culture are related, then this article provides a litany of troubling details about the state of ELL instruction and public education programs in general.

Like Larry, I strongly urge ELL and ESL instructors to read the long, ambitious, and satisfying article. It may become a seminal work in MA programs for ESL teachers.

]]> By: FeFe http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2008/07/04/new-article-on-teaching-english-language-learners/comment-page-1/#comment-2299 FeFe Sat, 05 Jul 2008 14:21:35 +0000 http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=1652#comment-2299 Promote native language reading, Phonics, Grammar and a wealth of information. Very interesting. Larry, do you find the CA ban on teaching in a native language a hindrance for you or your students? Your students are older, high school, I would assume they have mastered the concepts in their native language but then the school profile article mentioned the student who had never been to a school at age 15. This article states it is easier to learn a concept in a new language if you have mastered it in your native language already. Knowledge translates. For life long learners, how does your school approach English learning? Promote native language reading, Phonics, Grammar and a wealth of information. Very interesting.

Larry, do you find the CA ban on teaching in a native language a hindrance for you or your students?

Your students are older, high school, I would assume they have mastered the concepts in their native language but then the school profile article mentioned the student who had never been to a school at age 15. This article states it is easier to learn a concept in a new language if you have mastered it in your native language already. Knowledge translates.

For life long learners, how does your school approach English learning?

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