SUBMIT POST ALL POSTS TOP POSTS
Share | Print | Report Post ESL/EFL Teachers Chatboard
Search Teachers.Net
Advanced
Quick Links: Set
Hot Now...
July 2008 Gazette
Teacher Tech Center
The Lesson Bank
Most Popular
Set Your Quick Links
Chat Center
All Chatboards
Lesson Bank
Teacher Mailrings
Project Center
Classified Ads
Live Chat & Meetings
Select by
State/Region
Grade Level
Curriculum
Interest Group
Teaching Method
Special Topics
Technology
Languages
Hot Topics
Career Center
Distance Learning
Fundraising
Tutoring Center
Teacher's Bookshelf
Free Printables
Classroom Photos
Meeting Archive
Teaching Articles
Library
Web Tools
Webring
Search
Advertise
 

Re: Speaking in their native language
Posted by Heather on 5/06/08

    On 5/05/08, lynne/ca wrote:
    > On 5/05/08, Heather wrote:
    >> I have several students in my class who speak languages
    >> other than English at home. The majority of those
    >> students speak Spanish. However, I have noticed that
    >> these students are very shy about sharing their knowlege
    >> of another language. When we encounter Spanish words in
    >> our reading they will not tell other students what they
    >> mean. I am wondering if anyone has any strategies to make
    >> these students feel more comfortable expressing what they
    >> know about their foreign language.
    >
    > They might be shy or embarrassed, but it also may be that
    > they don't read Spanish well.
    > Another possibility is that the particular words that are in
    > Spanish in the reading are difficult to translate - that
    > might even be why the words are written in Spanish in
    > the first place (it often is). A lot of times the Spanish
    > words that appear in English stories are cultural words like
    > quinceañera... foods like enchiladas or tamales... or
    > exclamations like ay caramba - they can be difficult to
    > translate because the translation would require an
    > explanation too, and a direct translation won't carry the
    > same cultural connotation that the Spanish word might.
    > Instead of having them translate the Spanish words they find
    > in stories, you might try asking them to teach the class a
    > few words which they themselves choose - basic phrases or
    > words related to something they're reading about, but not
    > directly from the story. That will allow them to choose the
    > words they're comfortable with sharing, and, if they're not
    > very literate in Spanish, they can show off their strengths
    > (oral language) without the fear of making mistakes in
    > reading or writing.
    > If they become more comfortable with this, eventually they
    > will begin to share what they know from the stories as well.


    Some of the students are shy and some of them do have only a
    limited grasp of Spanish, but I don't think that is why they
    are so quiet. I can speak Spanish so I know that some words
    would be harder for them to translate, but they won't share
    simple words like luna.

    I've encouraged a few of the more comfortable to start reading
    more in Spanish thinking that may encourage them to be proud
    of their home language.

    Thanks for your ideas.


 
 
 
June: The 30 Days of Teachers.Net (Introduction)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

     
     

You are on the ESL LANGUAGE CHATBOARD:   LATEST POSTS   ALL POSTS   SUBMIT POST

Sponsors  

New Moms Wanted!
Join the community for new and expecting moms. Check out Maternityville.com Maternity Chat!

Free Lesson Plans
Thousands of lesson plans and curriculum ideas! teachers.net/lessons

Teaching Jobs
Thousands of teaching jobs and other jobs in education - visit jobs.teachers.net

Other Chatboards in this Category...
  Language Teacher Chatboards

Check out the latest additions to the Lesson Bank...
 
Google
 
Web Teachers.Net
  Site Map: Home Search Teaching Jobs Classifieds Lessons Contacts PR Advertise
  © 1996 - 2008. All Rights Reserved. Please review our Terms of Use, Mission Statement, and Privacy Policy.