Entry 1: Introduction
Jennifer Calel's Blog
Welcome to the first entry blog! My name is Jennifer Calel and I'm a senior at UH and will be graduating in Spring 2022 with a bachelor's degree in Teaching and Learning (EC-6). I am bilingual. Therefore, I grew up in a household where we spoke English and Spanish. I also went to a charter elementary school that was predominately Hispanic. I had classmates that did not speak English at all. We had very limited resources to help those classmates I had. Sometimes I would help them translate a conversation and help them with assignments as best as I could. Overtime, they did master the English language and I remember being so proud of them for their effort.
I want to inspire and uplift my students in my classroom. Wright states, (2015) "Teachers who understand second language development and who engage in effective instructional and authentic assessment practices speak to their students and listen to them talk every day" (4). I currently work with one ESL student and I am very grateful for the opportunity to practice learning styles with her. The tactic that Wright explains here is one my mentor teacher practices; listening and paying attention to the progress that this student has made and the progress we need to work on. I know that I can help my future students develop their English skills by practices this skill and many more I will be learning in the future. I have to keep in mind that Wright explains (2015) "It is important to recognize that though ELLs may come from a Spanish-speaking country, their home language may not be Spanish" (7).
References:
Wright, Wayne. Foundations for Teaching English Language Learners: Research, Theory, Policy, and Practice. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon, 2015. Print. Second Edition.
Hi Jennifer! I really connected to your vblog as I have a few things in common with you. My parents speak spanish, however I did not grow up with spanish as my native language. I did speak Spanish occasionally in the house but English was our primary language used to communicate. I love how you have first hand experience with students who do not speak English at all. I really enjoyed hearing how you would help your classmates due to the lack of resources at your charter school. Growing up, my mom did not speak Spanish to me alot so I am not as fluent as the rest of my family. This makes me feel ashamed of my identity in my own culture because I feel as if I have to be perfect in speaking English and Spanish. I love your teaching philosophy when it comes to ELLs. I think that all educators should create an inclusive environment for students learning English. According to Wright, "all teachers are ELL teachers, because all share in the responsibility of meeting the language and academic needs of ELLs" (p. 2). It is up to every teacher in a school to help students learn and grow, but also be accepted for who they are and not have to hide their language at school. In order to provide the best support for students learning English, I believe we should get everyone involved, and put these students in a classroom surrounded by a diverse population where they are exposed to lots of English in different ways, rather than grouping them only with other ELLs where they may not get as many experiences and opportunities to learn English in a meaningful, inclusive way.
ReplyDeleteWright, Wayne (2019). Foundations for teaching English language learners: Research, theory,
policy, and practice. Caslon Publishing. Third edition.
Thank you for your comment Brianna!
DeleteI will say that the first hand-experiences in my elementary school has helped me develop the philosophy in my future classroom. According to Wright, "...learning is a social activity, and knowledge is constructed through interaction and collaboration with others" (p.58). This explains that we learn from each other which is what my classmates were doing with me in elementary.
Wright, Wayne (2019). Foundations for teaching English language learners: Research, theory,
policy, and practice. Caslon Publishing. Third edition.
Hi Jennifer! I enjoyed watching your video. I too grew up in a household that spoke English and Spanish too. I would love to learn more about your experience at a charter elementary school. I think that it is a great philosophy that you want to inspire and uplift your students. According to Wright’s Foundations for Teaching English Language Learners, “… educators have a responsibility to help prepare the next generation to continue working to solve important social problems related to diversity that past generations have failed to fully address” (Wright, 2019, pg.22). I believe that with your experience you will have a great classroom management and environment.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your insight Jasmine!
DeleteMy experience in a charter school was not that great as I reflect on it as an adult and future educator. I have definitely learned from my experiences and established my teaching philosophy through my background. According to Wright, "In contrast, teachers who look at language teaching and learning from a dynamic bilingual perspective see translanguaging as an integral part of the perfectly natural and normal ways bilinguals use their languages in their everyday lives" (p.61).