Prior to this class I had no idea how much strategies and
techniques go in to teaching English Language Learners. I never thought about
how or what teachers do to modify lesson plans for these students. I have
learned that teachers not only have to create lesson plans for students and
modify that lesson plan to meet the learning needs of their students. Students
have different learning styles like visual, auditory, reading/writing, and
kinesthetic learning in the classroom. Teachers also have to modify their
lesson plans to meet the needs of English language learners. I had always
thought they were in different classrooms that catered to their needs and not
in the general classroom. This class has impacted me by opening up my knowledge
and understanding the needs of English language learners. The educations laws
that require teachers to not only to modify lessons to meet the needs of the
students protect these students, but they are also qualified to teach them.
They have going through specific training and testing to be able to teach
English language learners. There has been much research to finding the best
methods for teaching students whose native language is not English. I have
gained an even more respect for teachers because they have to put in more work
than most people think they do. Teachers have to strategically plan for all of
their students to ensure they are learning the material that works best for
them. Texas education system truly does care about each of it’s students to
make sure they are protected and receive proper learning they deserve regardless
of their native language or learning disability they may have. Students receive
the opportunity to be taught and learn just as the student next to them. I have
also learned how much technology can have a positive impact on teaching. Most
people talk about how technology is taking over the world and consuming the
mind of the new generations. Technology can be use positively to aid teachers
when teaching students with different needs. There are so many different
programs offered through technology for students. I think it is great that
students are getting to use technology in school at a young age because most
people use technology for their career. It is opening the doors and setting a
foundation for students to learn how to use technology. Using a blog in this
class I was skeptical at first because I have never done it before or seen it
done before. Over all I think it is a great tool to use! It is like creating a
portfolio of your learning over a period of time, and you get to see how your knowledge
expands. It gives you the opportunity to express your opinions over what you
have learned, and you also get to read about others as well. Over all this is a
great class and has truly taught me so much and has open my eyes and knowledge
to English language learners, and all the techniques there are to teaching.
I 100% agree with you. Although we learn about writing lessons and hear about differentiation, it is a completely different world when we are the ones actually writing and teaching these lessons. Not only do we have to write an original lesson, but then we have to make modifications and ensure we follow through with them. It is certainly more of a challenge than I expected it to be.
ReplyDeleteI agree for current and expecting teachers there is so much more that goes into creating lesson plans. In chapter 10 it talks about how the content object is the same for all students but the language object is what has to be modified for students. Something so simple to a native English speak such as 2 + 2 = 4, is much more complex for a student whose native language isn’t English. Most people don’t think about that, and that is why I have appreciated taking this class because it has open my eyes to how much teachers really do.
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