Language and literacy are not the same. This applies to ESL, as well as those with English as their mother tongue.
It is important to understand language and culture
It is important to incorporate other languages that students may speak. When students can learn a new language or information and still utilize their mother tongue to assist while learning it ,studies have shown an easier learning style. Being bilingual enhances learning
If students are learning a new language, the student's mother tongue should be valued and respected. Therefore, the student is encouraged to use their mother language to help understand and clarify words in the new language. This is essential to ensure the student understands the meaning of the words and uses the new language effectively.
Learning more about languages and dialects can help us communicate and be aware of how different things have be perceived based on language.
Students should be allowed to use their "mother tongue". Language is a part of their culture. Also, language and literacy are not equal. Someone may speak multiple languages but have low literacy.
I love that the module pointed out that just because the information is presented in a person's first language does not mean that they are literate in that language. Becoming literate in a language is a process and it doesn't all happen at once (reading/writing and speaking).
Judge student as a person that can not learn because English is their second language it is a huge mistake. Instructor need to keep their mind open and create teaching techniques to improve student's literacy.
I can see myself wanting to expand on what was explained in this module. For instance, I had a student who had already worked internationally in professional capacities using two languages other than English. English was his third language. Unfortunately, he did not gain an aptitude for the technical and professional usage required in my industry. When I tried to get help for him from my institutional superiors, I was told there were no supports to help with acquiring the technical language skills he was struggling with. I will try to figure some of this out before my next student who ends up in a similar situation.
Languages and cultures can be considered interdependent on many levels
My desire is that my ELL students would be able to leverage their bi- or multilingualism to their advantage. I want to give them the freedom to process in their mother tongue and allow tools that enable them to do so. Although I recognize the importance of recognizing literacy as separate from learning a new language, it is easy to forget or not support a student's growth in academic language literacy.
If a student is learning English wishes to use a valid resource in their mother tongue, they should be allowed to.
It is important to keep the Mother language when teaching students with more than one language.
In the United States alone there are so many languages that represent so many cultures and it 's what makes this country so great. Language is/represents their culture.
I learned that it is important as well to realize that even first language English speakers may not have a highly developed academic language proficiency. This is something for instructors to focus on for all students, regardless of their linguistic background.
Diversity and inclusion of students is very important.
Just because someone is learning ESL or as a new language, we cannot assume where they are in the process and how it is/will affect their learning. We need to learn more about these students on a personal level and give them the time and resources that can help them succeed.
Allowing a student to utilize their mother tongue will increase understanding and help the student develop connections between the language they already know and English. Then inability to understand or speak a language does not equate to literacy.
