Blog 7

This chapter of the book is one that deals with ELL and ESL students. I have always had an interest in Spanish and it is something that I have loved learning since I was younger so I always felt that I would have an advantage in the classroom. However, after reading this I realized that there are a lot of other languages that my students could end up speaking. I had never really thought much about having students that speak Chinese. In reading this chapter it helped me to understand how to teach students that are ESL. The section of the chapter that made me think was when it talked about word vs. concept. I think this is especially important when teaching history. I would have to teach them not only what the new vocabulary word meant but also the concept behind it. Right after this part in the chapter it talks about how students who don’t speak English as a first language might have a hard time in the classroom with way that lessons are taught. Not only would I have to worry about the vocabulary but I would also have to realize that the way I am teaching might not reach those students; I might have to adapt the way they learn to the way I teach. I’m from a really small town in Michigan that is not very diverse. Growing up I never saw any students who did not speak English as their first language and since I am not an ESL minor I do not have much exposure to this topic. I am hoping that I am able to learn more about teaching students who speak another language. In today’s society I feel like it is something that is very important and is often overlooked.