Videos for Learning Spanish

Learning Spanish has been a challenge and really fun with my students. I have found wonderful resources online to help them learn basic Spanish, and I've been using music to help them learn colors, numbers, the ABC's, greetings, etc. I was able to speak to some parents who have showed support in me teaching Spanish and they said that their children sing the Spanish songs in the cars. This made me really happy, and I've noticed that they are memorizing how to spell vocabulary words that I have been teaching them. This has made me really proud of them, and I'm trying to figure out some games to teach them now to help them learn in a fun and creative way. :-))))))))))))

Case Study

Here is my case study:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/3iugof0g6zsm039/Casestudy%20ELL.docx?dl=0

Week 7 - Videos on Literacy

Videos:

 Theses two videos I have to say made me really happy to see because it reassures me that there are schools out there and around the world that are helping ENL students learn English. Both videos are very similar even though one is based in America and the other in Australia. While subbing I was able to go to different schools and observe the different ways schools help ENL students. For example at the school I work at there isn't any resources for ENL students which is really sad. That's the difference between public schools. Many public schools have the resources to assist and help develop ENL students literacy skills.
 In the American video it was amazing how this school and community have programs not only for students but also for parents to learn literacy. This really melted my heart because it's obvious that this community is looking after families that came to America and wanting them to prosper. The after school programs as well is great with the dancing and soccer and focusing on literacy. What caught my eye as well is how they are teaching literacy skills to students through dance and games. Children especially learn from playing and music and I think these are amazing strategies that should be applied to all subjects and grade levels.

Watching the video based in Australia I found fascinating and it's a school I would love to visit. Seeing how there are only 2 teachers and the aids to help assist the aboriginal students learn English is great. The way they use their native language and topics that they would understand to help them develop their literacy skills. What really grasped my attention was when the teacher said she needs to have CULTURE SENSITIVITY, and what she said about that is absolutely an approach that everyone should have. Learning about other students culture and being sensitive towards it is very important to be an effective teacher. I've noticed that many teachers aren't patient and understanding with ENL students and their culture. Even as a teacher at the school now I've been experiencing negativity from parents because I'm part Hispanic. These are issues that ENL and other students face every day, and I've noticed some teachers not having culture sensitivity and patience with ENL students and it's heart breaking. 

Week 4

Writing Strategies for ESL Students

The presentation was very detailed and informative. The writing strategies for the ESL student's that was shown in the presentation allows for students to learn English in a step by step manner through repetition, building vocabulary, and enhancing the students fluency. The stage of Pre-writing is the process where the student can generate ideas for his or her writing. Graphic organizers and charts are other tools that will allow for the students to write down and organize their ideas for their writing. 

The strategies that were shown are very important ; but some other strategies that I use in my class is for my students to build their literacy and writing skills are educational videos. The way I use these videos is that I play them completely first. Then I replay it and have my students take notes on the videos and write down new vocabulary words and terms that they have learned in the videos. Also I really love online games because students are very visual and these keep my students engaged. The games I use are literacy games and in order to win in the game they need to know vocabulary and certain terms. This helps students build their vocabulary and challenge themselves. For me it's important to find creative ways to build my students vocabulary and writing skills.