English Second Language

However, with appropriate teaching strategies for ESL (English as a second language) reading and other subjects, these students CAN succeed.

Hispanic students, in particular, are at great risk.

Too many classroom teachers are unable to meet their needs or have not been trained to do so.

These children don't have to fail in school, however, as there are teachers who have had success with non-English speaking children.

Photo courtesy of Shirley Buxton

Why are ESL Students at Risk?

• Many of their parents are poorly educated.
• They often come from low income families.
• They live in low income communities.
• Schools in their communities are often low-achieving.

English as a Second Language (ESL) 1, DVD This is the first in a series of DVDs--making E.S.L fun to learn! Presenting materials with skits, graphics and a fun format, you can teach or review at your own pace and level. This ESL DVD #1 covers pronouns, adjectives and possessives. Approximately 90 minutes on DVD.

Teaching English Language Learners By Katharine Samway & Dorothy Taylor This book is not a textbook for children. It is designed to help parents, homeschool parents and classroom teachers work with children who are learning English as their second language.

Teaching English as a Second Language

So what can parents and teachers do to help these esl children learn better?

If you think about it, children must become familiar with words by hearing them-—before they “recognize” them in print. Spoken language comes before written language.

So, it makes all the sense in the world, to teach English second language children to read, first, in their own language.

In fact, this is what leads later to their academic success.

Children should be taught the basics of reading in their native language. At the same time they should be learning to speak English. Later, they will be able to learn to read in English.

In general, non-English speaking children are highly motivated to learn to speak English. Working with English second language children to learn things in the proper order will greatly enhance their success in school.

Parents can help at home by working with their children to read Spanish children's books and by reading to children in their own language.

There will be times, of course, when English will be spoken in the family, but children MUST learn to read first in their most familiar language if they are to succeed at reading.

English Second Language to Second Language Acquisition

English Second Language to Childrens Books

New! Comments