- It is very important to me to make sure that our ENL students feel supported and welcomed when they come to me. I try to make an extra effort to let them know I am interested in their cultures and backgrounds. I have found that appreciate books that have characters that reflect their own experiences and try to make sure that I have many to offer. The strategies reflected here are all useful, but keeping in mind that "they are doing twice the job of everyone else" is particularly important to me. When I stop to think about the effort that goes into understanding a new concept in a new language, I am truly amazed at what our students do.
- I already try to show an interest in students background, have them work in groups or partnerships and when possible work with someone in the class who also speaks their native language. Something that I would like to work on is always making sure that all directions are written down. I know that sometimes I will give step by step directions out loud but not record them anywhere. This is something that I plan to work on improving. I think that I will know that this strategy has been effective when I notice that my ELL students are able to follow directions more often without multiple prompts.
