Hello Dana:
Yes, as instructors we must guide our students in their learning new words and understanding meaning when reading the materials.
Doris R. Owens
It has been my experience that ELL students learn better by being shown ways to adapt by following your lead.
Ensuring that you know the students primary language and allowing them to express when they dont understand it vital in the students success in your course.
Depending on the setting, I have taught many learners who either have English as their second language or have some limitations due to their previous learning experiences. Key points presented here have helped me better present and assess material and content.
I have learned that the simpler and clearer you can keep things the better. Be very black and white.
ESL is a problem for me, but this section helped!
Becoming familiar with diversity of different languages is very important.
Students with diverse learning needs require extra assistance to be successful in the classroom.
In this section, I learned that not all students are going to come with the same ability levels. Building vocabulary is one of the main strategies to help with understanding. Giving a word, definition, picture, and experience will help students best understand what is being taught. It is best to give students 5-7 vocabulary words at a time. It is also important to set the room up so that you can monitor student progress. Giving students chunked tasks will help you see how much is being retained.
I was able to learn some tools for working w/ students w/ learning difficulties or challenges. One specifically is English as second language learners, which will require additional consideration regarding inflection/speed of lecture/vocabulary.
Using pictures is key for me and using sentence starters help ELL students better how to use certain or new words when teaching them a concept. Not rushing them.
Reading skills improves with instructional learnings, take a slow pace of learnings. Learn few at a time.
Shah Rahman
Many of the students primary language is other then English language and therefore they are learning the language as well as learning career skills understanding this helps us how to interact and help them in their learning process.
there are many ways to help people with lower reading skills, but the underlying theme is to keep it simple and allow them to use the words in a setting or scenario to promote retention on top of hearing and seeing the word.
I have had the experience of teaching 2 students in different classes with undiagnosed dyslexia. In both cases while watching them complete math tests and other work I noted that they took an exceptionally long time to complete the assignments. However, their answers were correct and they did well on the tests. I spoke with the students individually and both told me that they had always "struggled" in school. Thankfully our organization was able to assist both students. As instructors we need to be aware that there may be learning difficulties that the students are not aware of or don't know they can ask for help.
In this module, I learned about how to help learners with different deficiencies. Specifically, English language learners. I learned it is best to start with key vocabulary words and use visual and kinesthetic options. It also help give some tips on how to increase student comprehension. This was really helpful.
Comment on Francisco Gonzalez's post: It would be best to identify early on what students are able to comprehend so that an instructor can identify how to best support the student. Incorporating a few new vocabulary words at a time along with examples will be a good way to introduce students to new terms.
Comment on SETH SORONNADI's post: The way we engage with and instruct students with disabilities needs to change. To help facilitate their learning, we must acknowledge this and make necessary adjustments to the lesson plans. gaining that knowledge and creating a more inclusive teaching approach for all children with impairments will take time.
Students will come to class with a different basic understanding of the English language. When giving out vocabulary words, try to limit them to a list of 10 max, 5-7 preferred. Check in with your students.
