Reflection 6

Response to a question about English teaching

Question:

I work in a Headstart Program that has a Charter school component. Our classroom model is 1/2 day in Spanish and 1/2 day in English. The age group is 3 and 4 year olds. I was an ESL teacher for 32 years in public school. Here is our issue. I believe that it is okay to translate for the ESL children in the beginning if you are not getting any response in English. Others do not agree. Is there any theory about this?

http://www.everythingesl.net/askjudie/?i=10800&n=50

Hi Victoria,

Many people believe that in order to learn a new language, you have to be taught only in the target language, without using any of the first language at all.

Personally, I think that using the first language of the students doesn't make any harm. On the contrary, it can be very helpful, because you don't need to start teaching a new language all over again from the beginning but you can use the first language of the kids and build on that previous knowledge.

I think it's a good idea to use a certain amount of Spanish in the class and take it away gradually; depending on the students progress, because sometimes the children need something to grab at. I'm not saying that you have to translate everything and teach the whole class in English; because I know that sometimes the only English the kids hear is in the class. But if you are not getting any response in English I think it is okay to use some Spanish, to explain certain things or concepts that are difficult to understand, especially if they are little kids and don't have enough vocabulary to use.

However, I think every classroom is different and has different needs. Thus, every teacher has to evaluate and analyze their own particular situation in terms of age, background, English level, first language of the kids, learning styles, etc. Because what has good results for a class might not be necessarily good for another.

It is not just my personal opinion; research also supports the fact that, in order to be successful at school, an ELL child needs to be literated in his or her first language, so that he or she doesn't have to learn all the things as new. He or she can find support on his or her first language and just transfer the prevoius knowledge to the new task; because it is not the same as acquiring a first language. Kids already know a language, so you can take advantage of this, but you have to be also aware of how this first language works, in order to prevent and anticipate some comon mistakes and difficulties; especially if they share the same one.

Research also tells us that when kids feel their first language and culture are valued, they learn better and in a more comfortable way. Talking to a very experienced ESL teacher, she also agrees with the believe that it is better to take advantage of the first languge of the kids. She knows that because she has proved this through her experience.

Therefore, depending on the age and level of students you can use more, less, or any Spanish at all.

I hope this can help you... bye.