Help ESL teachers! I have a new student in my class

by Kris/3

Jan 24, 2010

I just received a new student on Friday who does not speak English. I teach in a private school, we do not have an ESL program of any sort. I have no idea what I'm doing! I went and purchased several ESL books from the teacher store, and I think we'll muddle through in areas like Math and Science. I just don't know what to do when it's time for reading. My class will be starting The Mouse and the Motorcycle in two weeks. There is no way he will be able to read that! My principal didn't seem to think about any of this at all, but what is done is done. I thought about getting the book for him in Spanish, but then I realized I don't know how to assess his comprehension. I think panic is the best word for how I feel right now. So I'm asking the professionals! Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

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Ruth What grade level do you teach?

One thing your student can do is create a dictionary for himself. I give my students multilingual picture cards of common items which are grouped in categories (food, clothing, etc.) and have them write the word in both languages and draw a small picture to go with each word. This is a great reference tool th...See More

Jan 25, 2010

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Lpb You didn't say what size of school district you are in. If it is a bigger district, contact your district office and see if the district has a program. If so get in touch with them immediately. They may also have access to some supplies.

If you are in a really small school, find out from the principal who is going to be the designated ESL ...See MoreYou didn't say what size of school district you are in. If it is a bigger district, contact your district office and see if the district has a program. If so get in touch with them immediately. They may also have access to some supplies.

If you are in a really small school, find out from the principal who is going to be the designated ESL expert that is going to research questions like what do to with state reports, how do we do state tests, is he exempt, how long is he exempt, what modifications if any can we give him. What forms and letters are required to go home in the child's first language and which ones can go home in English? Are there any special tests that he has to take. (If so, who will have to administer them. There are in my state) Is the school entitled to more money because he is there? This person hopefully is not you, but you do need to know WHO it is going to be.

Another source for both supplies and information is your state education department. They will have an ESL Department. Sometimes they even have loan material for schools. This is especially true if the student is a migrant student.

Next thing, find out if there is any funding for ESL supplies at at your school. ESL supplies should not have to come out of your pocket.

Supplies to look for: New Oxford picture dictionary, you might want to get the primary one. Rosetta stone computer program

Label everything in the room. Is there a para, voluteer or high school student available to work with him one on one? Even a half an hour will make a difference. Ask the office if a para can be reassigned to your room for at least part of the day.

Use this time for TPR - This stand for Total Physiucal Response. Start with a handfull of words. Chair, door, go book open close then the teacher says "open the book" and models it, then repeats it and the student does it. Do this numerous times changing out the phrase. If the child can read and write in their first language, also have him write it in Spanish then introduce how to write it in English. -The next day review the previous days words and then add a few more. SLowly add more and more words. -Gradually add differnt word forms such as adjectives. questions, tenses and sentense structures. _He will not talk at first, but gradually ask him "What are you doing? after you have given the command and while he is doing it. Later you can ask it afterwards and he can put it in past tense. -Use all kids of props. I raided my daughters toys for plastic food, animals and toy furniture. Beg borrow and steal from the preschool and kindergarten rooms. -Prepositions can be done with a something like a glass and a crayon, "Put the crayon on the glass." "Put the crayon under the glass." -This all works better if the student and adult are someplace WITHOUT 20 other students watching, especially as you try to get him to speak. It also takes time.

Last but not least, GOOD LUCK!

Jan 28, 2010

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pizwit Hope this link will help you out.

Feb 3, 2010

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Sara He has - and you have - bigger issues right now than how to assess his comprehension. School is sometimes inexorable and can't stop or rethink itself for the student who really is the square peg in the round hole.

The logical first task for this student is to learn English. Everything else - if we're going about it intelligently - can and ...See More

Feb 3, 2010

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