Helping English Language Learners in the mainstream classroom Pittsburgh Public Schools ESL Department November 4, 2008

By the numbers… During the course of the last three years, the number of English Language Learners in the district’s K-12 classrooms has increased almost 100% During the course of the last three years, the number of English Language Learners in the district’s K-12 classrooms has increased almost 100% New language groups and ethnicities have moved to Pittsburgh and now know this city as home New language groups and ethnicities have moved to Pittsburgh and now know this city as home The most recent larger groups of English Language Learners are the Burmese, Nepalese and Somali-Bantu refugees The most recent larger groups of English Language Learners are the Burmese, Nepalese and Somali-Bantu refugees

Background Information on New Refugees Most of the refugees that have resettled in Pittsburgh over the last 5 years are from refugee camps or war-torn countries Most of the refugees that have resettled in Pittsburgh over the last 5 years are from refugee camps or war-torn countries The availability of educational services for these children and families have often been very limited, if at all The availability of educational services for these children and families have often been very limited, if at all Many of the parents of these newest students want their children to receive a good education Many of the parents of these newest students want their children to receive a good education

Hurdles to overcome… Many parents of these refugees have little to no literacy in their native language or in English Many parents of these refugees have little to no literacy in their native language or in English Therefore, the amount of environmental print in the households is minimal Therefore, the amount of environmental print in the households is minimal Most refugee and migrant-worker parents speak a very limited amount of English Most refugee and migrant-worker parents speak a very limited amount of English Often times, the only English language practice to which they are exposed is during the school day Often times, the only English language practice to which they are exposed is during the school day

Instructional Issues in the classrooms Very limited English, if any Very limited English, if any Parental lack of understanding of school procedures Parental lack of understanding of school procedures Inability of many parents to reinforce concepts and skills taught in the classroom Inability of many parents to reinforce concepts and skills taught in the classroom Inability of teachers to communicate successes or concerns to parents Inability of teachers to communicate successes or concerns to parents

What can you do…? Instructional concepts/lessons can be reinforced with bilingual dictionaries Instructional concepts/lessons can be reinforced with bilingual dictionaries If there is a parent with whom you need to communicate, please contact the ESL Department to attempt to arrange a translator If there is a parent with whom you need to communicate, please contact the ESL Department to attempt to arrange a translator Provide a print-rich environment for the students that uses words and picture cues Provide a print-rich environment for the students that uses words and picture cues

What can you do…? Read aloud to the students as often as possible so that the students have “good modeled exposure” to the English Language Read aloud to the students as often as possible so that the students have “good modeled exposure” to the English Language Allow students who speak the same language to sit next to each other during work sessions to help each other in the native language Allow students who speak the same language to sit next to each other during work sessions to help each other in the native language

What can you do…? Remember that it can take more than five years before and English Language Learner will reach a level of English proficiency resembling a native speaker Remember that it can take more than five years before and English Language Learner will reach a level of English proficiency resembling a native speaker Simplify letters to parents for easier translation Simplify letters to parents for easier translation Learn about your students’ background and in which country they were born Learn about your students’ background and in which country they were born Learn about the circumstances in which the family existed prior to coming to the US Learn about the circumstances in which the family existed prior to coming to the US

And finally… ScaffoldScaffoldScaffold

Cultural/Behavior Issues Remember that for students about whom you have behavior concerns, the students may not have ever been in an instructional setting prior to coming to the US. Remember that for students about whom you have behavior concerns, the students may not have ever been in an instructional setting prior to coming to the US. For that matter, their parents may not have been in a formalized instructional setting either For that matter, their parents may not have been in a formalized instructional setting either The school/teacher will have to meet with parents to convey expectations The school/teacher will have to meet with parents to convey expectations

Cultural/Behavior Issues The view of many cultures concerning school is truly “in loco parentis.” The view of many cultures concerning school is truly “in loco parentis.” Some parents will need to understand the parameters within which you must work Some parents will need to understand the parameters within which you must work Students will need to understand the rules of the classroom. Often, these will need to be explicitly taught Students will need to understand the rules of the classroom. Often, these will need to be explicitly taught

Cultural/Behavior Issues… Many cultures are “collectivist” where as the dominant US culture is “individualist” Many cultures are “collectivist” where as the dominant US culture is “individualist” Some cultures forbid the mixing of boys and girls for educational purposes Some cultures forbid the mixing of boys and girls for educational purposes Many world cultures are “patriarchal” meaning that there are very different levels of “station” for men and women Many world cultures are “patriarchal” meaning that there are very different levels of “station” for men and women Special Education is viewed very differently in many countries Special Education is viewed very differently in many countries

Cultural/Behavior Issues Many immigrant/refugee parents do not understand the amount of paper work that is required in US schools Many immigrant/refugee parents do not understand the amount of paper work that is required in US schools Adherence to time constraints varies from country to country Adherence to time constraints varies from country to country Cleanliness and hygiene also vary from country to country Cleanliness and hygiene also vary from country to country Touching and use of hands can be very different in many countries Touching and use of hands can be very different in many countries

Cultural/Behavior Issues Many parents of English Language Learners are not involved in school activities because they feel that they have nothing to offer Many parents of English Language Learners are not involved in school activities because they feel that they have nothing to offer Religious observances and holidays are celebrated differently throughout the world Religious observances and holidays are celebrated differently throughout the world All English Language Learners bring wonderful aspects of their culture to your classroom…take advantage of it! All English Language Learners bring wonderful aspects of their culture to your classroom…take advantage of it!

And Most Importantly… 'A teacher affects eternity; no one can tell where the influence stops.' ~Henry Adams 'A teacher affects eternity; no one can tell where the influence stops.' ~Henry Adams Your influence, indeed, transcends language, and your excellent work equips ELLs with the skill set needed to succeed in American schools. Your influence, indeed, transcends language, and your excellent work equips ELLs with the skill set needed to succeed in American schools.