The kindergartens from my class are beginning to write simple sentences. Everyday they develop their ability to hear and manipulate the sounds of spoken language. The teacher reinforces their phonemic awareness through dynamic activities that direct their attention to sounds in words, such as rhyming and alliteration games. The teacher also allows them to experiment with the language and create their own rhyming words; however, in the end she makes sure to clarify which ones are make believe words. Everything goes well in the classroom, but when the children go home many of them do not get to practice what they have learned in class for they do not count with support and guidance at home. In addition, many of the children speak a language other than English, and therefore are not exposed to the sounds of the English language enough so as to increase phonemic awareness. How could we help these children to continue practicing in their home? What activities could effectively strengthen their ability to recognize and manipulate sounds of oral language -considering the fact that English is not the primary language spoken in their home?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Good question. It must be much more difficult for non-English speakers to learn English when it is not being modeled at home. I think sending home simple books would be a good idea. Even if the parents do not speak English, the children still could read to them. One good thing is that these are young, kindergarten students. They can absorb so much at this age, and it is actually easier for them to learn a new language than it is for someone who is older.
That is a very good question. I think that sending home early reader leveled books would be a good idea. Also, maybe sending home flash cards that the student can review. If there is no one in the household that can review these things with the student, they have these materials to do on their own. Another idea is to send home a list of educational websites that may help students to increase their phonemic awareness and help with their oral language. Websites are usually interactive and fun and they make students want to learn.
I looked online to get some ideas on how these students can get extra help at home. I found this website that talks about students being able to get a tutor that doesn't cost them anything. The tutors are volunteer literacy tutors who can help ELL students develop a foundation to help them understand and become a confident and successful reader and writer. I thought this was a really good idea to help students get the help they need that they can't get at home. The website I found is http://www.bnkst.edu/literacyguide/ell.html if anyone wants to go check it out.
I agree as well with the comments regarding ELL learners and providing these students and their families with additional help and support. It is so important for these students to receive additional resources at home, whether it is through audio tape/books, learn to read material and/or English vocabulary activities. I was talking to my C.T. today about an ELL student she has in class. Just when my C.T. begins to make progress with her English vocabulary, it is time for these students to begin their track break. With each track break, this student will travel to Mexico to visit family and while she is there she will transition back to her native language. Now my C.T. told me that when she returns from track break her Spanish accent is stronger and more difficult to distinguish when she speaks in English. For example: when she says the word “won't” she pronounces it as “want.” Unfortunately, my C.T. doesn't try to have her re-pronounce the word as won’t, she just continues on with the lesson, because she knows what she meant, yet in the meantime the rest of the class is confused because want didn’t make sense for that sentence. Consistency is the key in helping ELL learners become more proficient in the English Language. Even if they show signs of regressing back to their native language, as teachers, we need to continue to provide them with the material and support to help them become proficient in the English Language.
Post a Comment