I visit schools all over the world that are filled with language learners. International education is on the rise, and these schools tend to be heavily populated with students who are learning the language of instruction. One thing I am always struck by is how many parents have a very laissez-faire attitude about the … Continue reading Don’t forget about your own language!
Tag: bilingualism in education
Spotlight on good practice: Multilingual Poetry
With respect to ELLs, there is undeniable and growing evidence that the home language of ELLs is of considerable benefit to their overall academic success. Fred Genesee (Professor of Psychology Department at McGill University, Montreal and recipient of the Canadian Psychological Associate Award for Distinguished Contributions to Community or Public Service) This is the … Continue reading Spotlight on good practice: Multilingual Poetry
International Mother Language Day: Putting your money where your mouth is!
Mother tongue promotion in the school helps develop not only the mother tongue but also children’s abilities in the majority school language. (Cummins, J. 2001) This year I am celebrating International Mother Language Day at home, speaking many languages with my own children - mother, father and other. Last year, for IMLD 2015, I had … Continue reading International Mother Language Day: Putting your money where your mouth is!
Supporting multilingualism in schools: Spotlight on best practice
I've been very absent from my blog for the last year, and have been thinking about a good post to start the new year. I have a back-log of ideas in my brain and none was "the one". Then I saw this video on FB (thanks to Ellen-Rose Kambel from the Rutu Foundation) and found … Continue reading Supporting multilingualism in schools: Spotlight on best practice
Forum: Why educating English language learners means success for everyone
This welcome attention to English learners, however, will become hollow rhetoric if the federal government does not fund significant professional development for teachers. A majority of teachers today report that they do not feel prepared to work with English learners, and most teachers in fact have limited or no training regarding the unique challenges and … Continue reading Forum: Why educating English language learners means success for everyone
How Long Does It Take ELLs to Develop English Proficiency? – Learning the Language – Education Week
On average, it took the students 3.8 years to reach English proficiency. But over the course of the study, almost 20 percent of students did not score high enough on the state exam to be reclassified. This is such a big question in education these days; how long does it take learners to become proficient … Continue reading How Long Does It Take ELLs to Develop English Proficiency? – Learning the Language – Education Week
Report Offers Guiding Principles to Support ELLs With Disabilities – Learning the Language – Education Week
"No proven method exists for identifying an English-learner student who has a learning disability and then placing the student in the most appropriate instructional program," This report touches on a crucial area for improving support for language learners in school - how to evaluate and support for potential learning difficulties across a language barrier. The … Continue reading Report Offers Guiding Principles to Support ELLs With Disabilities – Learning the Language – Education Week
Six Things Principals Can Do To Support Their English Language Learners | Education Northwest
This is a great outline of how administrators and senior leadership are key in setting a school up to provide the best support system for children who do not speak the school language. For those who don't want to read the whole article. here are the points: 1. Set a vision for high expectations 2. … Continue reading Six Things Principals Can Do To Support Their English Language Learners | Education Northwest
New Seminar Date: Raising Bilingual Children (Amsterdam, April 16)
It's Spring time (even if it doesn't feel like it yet...) and that means it's time for my semi-annual trip to the welcoming Jacaranda Tree Montessori in Amsterdam. This seminar is for parents who are thinking about, or have already chosen bilingualism/multilingualism for their children. It's a little bit of theory (but fun, I promise) … Continue reading New Seminar Date: Raising Bilingual Children (Amsterdam, April 16)
Professor Calls for Bilingual Education Services to Go Beyond English Instruction
This is a great article about bilingual advocate Diane Rodriguez. She is working on improving provisions in US schools for newly arrived immigrant children who do not speak English. Schools often see these learners in a very one-dimensional way - they are "English-language learners", and therefore the focus is on teaching them English. Her point, … Continue reading Professor Calls for Bilingual Education Services to Go Beyond English Instruction
