Response to "English Language Learners in the Classroom"

In today's classrooms, teachers are met with the task of working with some students who are not ready to fully communicate in English. For those students who have either come to America or have grown up in a foreign-speaking family, being in a classroom where everyone speaks a different language can be hard and scary. I remember entering a classroom in Nairobi, Kenya and everyone was speaking Swahili. That was a challenge to try to participate but not want to feel stupid. I know what ELL students feel. I liked how the book really emphasized the need for teachers to let students take their time with english and participation in classroom activities. Building off their previous knowledge like a tiered system is a possible option for teachers. Also being proactive about their situation helps too. Having a form for each student in the class to fill out the asks questions about language and culture will help the teacher understand where the student is at language-wise. I will probably use that in my classroom so I am not caught off guard when I have students who don't speak much English.