Contemporary Issues in ESL Education

Tonnie Martinez, Ph.D.

Hot Topics

• What are some of the “hot topics” in ESL?• How L1 influences content comprehension.• The importance of assumption hunting.• What are some things other schools are doing

that we might want to consider?

HumansHumans areare

Complex Complex Experienced Experienced

ExpectantExpectant

and and Require Complex Require Complex

ExperiencesExperiences to Learnto Learn

Strong Connections

Sparse, Weak Connections

Pictures taken from the book, The Amazing Brain

Differentiated Instruction: The TLC Model R. Brodnax

Page 6

©

Looking at Culture with New Eyes

It’s All in the Cards!

COMMON ESL ACRONYMS

LEP- Limited English ProficientESL- English as a Second LanguageESOL- English to Speakers of Other LanguagesELL- English Language LearnerSEL- Standard English LearnerCLD- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse

What is Culture?

• Heritage• Beliefs• Customs• Group with commonalities• Some are by choice, some are not• Think about the “cultures” you belong to.• Roles you play

COMMON ACRONYMS

• LEP- Limited English Proficient• ESL- English as a Second Language• ESOL- English to Speakers of Other Languages• ELL- English Language Learner• SEL- Standard English Learner (example)

– Formal/Informal English

• CLD- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse

Readiness for Critical Reflection

• Critical reflection is a uniquely adult ability?• Assumption Hunting• Validity Testing• Example

Readiness for CLD students and families

• Assumptions…• Acculturation Issues• Bi-racial Children

Who are they?

Diverse in economic Diverse in economic backgrounds.backgrounds.

May need support from May need support from health and social service health and social service agencies.agencies.

May lack native May lack native language skills.language skills.

Family dynamic:Family dynamic:

Role in familyRole in family

Uneducated parentsUneducated parents

Special CircumstancesSpecial Circumstances

What are you seeing?What are you seeing?

Understanding Cultural Differences:

• Cultural Differences can mean different rules for classroom behavior. (co-ed?)

• Cultural Differences can affect students’ understanding of content. (Math)

• Cultural Differences can affect interactions with others. (home visits)

Who are our people?

Mexican/Latino/Hispanic/Spanish/African American/Black/Asian/Other

People Take Priority Over Tasks

Time

Culture Influence on behavior

CultureShock

Emotional Support

Child-Rearing

Family

Names

Superstition

Men and Women

Television and Media

Stereotypes

Diversity can influence understanding of content.

• Brain is pattern-seeking• Cultural norms and patterns can “play defense”

against new information.• We need to “scout the opponent” and help the

players to understand what they are up against and give them some “plays” in order to score.

Cultural Text / Discourse Patterns*

American

Direct, linear, state the topic, explain and conclude.Ex: I need a pair of shoes. I’m going to the store. I’ll buy some running shoes.

* Adaptation from original study by Robert Kaplan – L. Valdez Pierce, 2001Kaplan, R. (1966). Cultural Thought Patterns in Intercultural Education. Language Learning, 16, 1-20.

Semitic(Arabic languages)

A repetitive, recursive structure. Ex: I need shoes. I’ll go to the store.I need shoes. I should measure my feet.I really need shoes. My old ones are worn out.

Asian

A circular pattern. Sensory details abound.Ex: In the winter, the ground is frozen. In the summer, it is hot and there are sand burrs. So your feet can get frostbite or burns. Shoes can be useful.

Romance Languages(French, Italian, Spanish)

Linear, but with digressions which tend to involve family and friends.Ex: I need a pair of shoes. I’ll get some running shoes. You know, my sister got some running shoes a while ago at J.C. Penney’s. They gave her blisters, but they were cheap. Maybe we shouldn’t go to Penney’s to look for shoes.

Slavic(Polish, Czech, Russian)

Some of the contents of text may appear to be extraneous and digressive, swinging between extreme points.Ex: I need a pair of shoes. You know back in _____ they have the worst factories. You can’t get a decent pair of shoes there. I’m glad to buy shoes here.

Sample Question

• A jogger immediately called the wildlife department on her cell phone when she saw the beached ..........

a. Wailb. Whalec. While

• COULD OF

The need for multiple modalities

ListeningSpeakingReadingWriting

District Issues

• Identification• Assessment• Alternative Language Program (model)• Staffing• Program Evaluation• Communication with Parents• Special Opportunities

We want our intentions to be GOOD!

• In the eyes of OCR we are ALL ESL teachers.• When is the training, what is it, and what are

the qualifications of the trainer?• www.ed.gov/ocr

Parents

• Caution about assumptions (Immigrants may leave identity behind)

• Teachers are the experts (Maestro)• Name changes add to distrust• Ask! Ask! Ask!• Visit the community shops, restaurants,

events!

Parental Involvement Ideas

• Create an inviting place! (School Scavenger Hunt)• Include classified personnel in professional

development• Diverse Site Council• Faith-based parent nights (their turf)• Dedicated answering machine• Fill the chairs• Home visits• Encourage home language use

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?