English as the universal language is an integral part of the student’s curriculum at any point of education. Further, it is not just inside the school and the academe that the English language is being applied; in a day-to-day basis one must be able to utilize the English language appropriately. It is for this reason that students must be able to learn and love the language in a formal education and in a formal manner to be able to comfortably apply it in the real world.
However, students of today are becoming stranger to the English language. It is a subject that they find difficult. While the ability to learn and understand thoroughly the universal language doesn’t take an overnight, one must be able to start the process now. As educators and teachers, their role is vital to allow the students to get a good grasp of the English language.
Ayanna Cooper, the Director for English Language Learner Program of the Cambridge Public School, provides teachers with simple and helpful techniques on how to make the students understand the universal language.
- Know your students
Increase your understanding of who your students are, their backgrounds and educational experiences. An assessment examination could be helpful to gauge the student’s understanding of the language thus allowing the teacher to formulate individualized training plan to help the students.
- Be aware of their social and emotional needs
Understanding more about the students’ families and their needs is key. Outside the school activities that requires their attention may lead to a lesser time to compete tasks and assignments.
- Increase your understanding of first and second language acquisition
As teachers, one way to effectively teach the English language is to be accustomed with the native language, through this, teachers will be able to correlate the correct meaning of a word from their native language to the English language.
- Student need to SWRL every day in every class
The domains of language acquisition, Speaking, Writing, Reading and Listening need to be equally exercised across content areas daily. Assuring that students are using all domains of language acquisition to support their English language development is essential. A focus can be identified and applied in a teaching plan to be able to identify the domain of language that the students are having difficulty to.
- Increase your understanding of English language proficiency
Social English language proficiency and academic English language proficiency are very different. A student may be more proficient in one vs. the other. A student’s level of academic English may be masked by a higher level of Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS) compared to their Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP).
- Know the language of your content
English has a number of multiple words with multiple meanings. Once a student learns and understands one meaning of a word, other meaning may not be apparent. Review the vocabulary of your content area often and check in with students to assure they know the words and possibly the multiple meanings associated with the words.
- Strategies that match language proficiency
Knowing the level of English language proficiency at which your students are functioning academically is vital in order to be able to scaffold appropriately. Not all strategies are appropriate for all levels of language learners. Knowing which scaffolds are most appropriate takes time but will support language learning more effectively.
- Collaborate to celebrate
Seek support from other teachers who may teach English Language. Other educators, novice and veteran, may have suggestions and resources that support English language development and content concepts. Creating and sustaining professional learning communities that support ELs are vital for student success.
Teaching English, much more, making the students understand and embrace the language is a challenge to every teacher. What is important is to be able to make the learning as real and authentic as possible where they can apply the language in a very practical manner. English is the universal language globally, therefore students must be able to have a good grasp of the language and its proper application to be able to compete with the global demands of professionals.
References:
Cooper, A. (2012, January 25). 10 Tips for Teaching English-Language Learners. Retrieved March 12, 2017, from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/teaching-english-language-learners-ayanna-cooper
By: ALBERTO B. BUAN | TEACHER II | LIMAY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL | LIMAY, BATAAN
