Language Diversity
Linguistic Diversity: English Language Learners
Janice Watson
EDU: 639 Human Relations & Learning in the Multicultural Environment
Dr. Jamie Worthington
September 20, 2010
Linguistic Diversity (English Language Learners) English Language Learners (ELL) refers to students whose first language is not English and encompasses both students who are just beginning to learn English. Because there are so many students who enter the United States who do not speak English well or not at all, we should meet their need of understanding the English Language. It is of importance because as an educator we cannot neglect these students because they are from another nation. This is a topic of interest that should be explored in order to help all students succeed in their education. Teaching students with a different language can be a challenge in itself. Helping students to become better learners of an alternative language can help them be successful in their education in this country. Children of English Language Learners come to us with a desire to learn English. They are knowledgeable of other language, places, and customs. It is important that we as educators learn how to help this student with the spoken language to the best of our knowledge. That is why we have to get educated as well on this subject of diversity in the classroom and how to reach these students. In the 25 largest American school districts minority students comprise about 72 percent of the total school enrollment in 1994 (National Center for Education Statistics, 1994). The United States encounters a lot of students from other cultures and we must know how to reach them in order that they may understand our language. English Language Learners (ELL’s) is a growing population among our nation’s schools and we must be prepared as educators to handle students who enter our schools with a different first language. Although there is not many English Language Learners here in our schools,
Janice Watson
EDU: 639 Human Relations & Learning in the Multicultural Environment
Dr. Jamie Worthington
September 20, 2010
Linguistic Diversity (English Language Learners) English Language Learners (ELL) refers to students whose first language is not English and encompasses both students who are just beginning to learn English. Because there are so many students who enter the United States who do not speak English well or not at all, we should meet their need of understanding the English Language. It is of importance because as an educator we cannot neglect these students because they are from another nation. This is a topic of interest that should be explored in order to help all students succeed in their education. Teaching students with a different language can be a challenge in itself. Helping students to become better learners of an alternative language can help them be successful in their education in this country. Children of English Language Learners come to us with a desire to learn English. They are knowledgeable of other language, places, and customs. It is important that we as educators learn how to help this student with the spoken language to the best of our knowledge. That is why we have to get educated as well on this subject of diversity in the classroom and how to reach these students. In the 25 largest American school districts minority students comprise about 72 percent of the total school enrollment in 1994 (National Center for Education Statistics, 1994). The United States encounters a lot of students from other cultures and we must know how to reach them in order that they may understand our language. English Language Learners (ELL’s) is a growing population among our nation’s schools and we must be prepared as educators to handle students who enter our schools with a different first language. Although there is not many English Language Learners here in our schools,
References: Bode, P., & Nieto, S., (2008). Affirming Diversity: A sociopolitical context of multicultural education.(5th Ed.). San Francisco: Allyn & Bacon. National Center of Education Statistics (1994). Educating teachers for diversity. Retrieved September 19, 2010. From http:// www.ncrel.org.