Bilingualism and Home Language Use
Lynn Danzey SEI/301 September21, 2015 Dr. Kopczynski
Introduction
Bilingualism is something that must be embraced at home and at school. "ELLs are the fasted growing population in the U.S." (Genesee, 2010, Par. 2). These students often perform much lower than their peers. Helping these students become successful needs to be a commitment between home and school. There is no reason why these students can not have an effective, meaningful education that they deserve. http://www.colorincolorado.org/article/home-language-english-language-learners-most-valuable-resource
Young Children Know Many Languages
Being fluent in more than one language as a child is not unheard of.
The Brain Uses Different Parts of the Brain to Process Information
Learning different languages helps to use different parts of the brain and maximizes its ability. Learning more than one language as a young child can be quite easy, when given the support and opportunity.
Our World is Made Up of Many Beautiful Cultures
The U.S. is made up of many different cultures, races, and religions. It is becoming more and more diverse everyday.
Sociocultural aspects for bilingual students in the classroom
Many students coming from other cultures have different beliefs, customs, and behaviors, than others in the same classroom. It is important to understand these differences and respect their differences.
- Students may perceive things differently
- Students may have a different economic status
- Encouraging and learning about different cultures in the classroom is important.
- Allowing students to work in groups helps them learn and respect tolerance of others. http://www.council-for-learning-disabilities.org/english-language-learners-impact-of-language-and-socio-cultural-factors-on-learning
Cultural impact of bilingualism and home language use
Being bilingual is an important part of keeping one's culture, beliefs, and heritage. Students go to school and are expected to learn, speak, and practice a new language. Using their natural language at home influences them, and allows them to use their cognitive abilities. being bilingual allows students to
- Speak with elders who only know their natural language
- Creates bonds
- Become exposed to future job advancements
- Increases thinking ability
- Encourages appreciation for both cultureshttp://www.childcarequarterly.com/spring10_story1.html
The role of leadership in cultivating a positive home and school partnership for ELL students
Communities, districts, schools, teachers, and school leaders must take a role in providing a positive home and school partnership for ELL students. Often times, school administrators and teachers underestimate the value of parent support. Making sure these families feel informed, important, appreciated, and understood is necessary in cultivating a positive relationship between home and school for ELL students. They need to ensure that the families feel welcome and needed. By reaching out to these families and including them in their child's education initiates the start of this partnership. http://oregonpirc.org/webfm_send/17
Strategies and Resources for Cultivating Home and School Partnerships
There are many ways partnerships can be formed between home and school. It takes the commitment of both to develop this relationship. Some key points to remember are:
- Make an effort to keep a connection formed with the ELL parents.
- Get to know their customs and culture
- Learn about the country they are from
- Encourage the use of their native language at home
- Allow students to read in their native language at home
- Have parents check and participate in homework nightly
- Ensure that important information is understood and received by the families.
- If you are having trouble communicating, ask another staff member with experience for assistance.
- Contact the school liaison for further assistance
- Encourage parent volunteering and participation at school
- Always make the families feel welcome
- Have meet and greets that include a presentation in other languages
- Show parents what things they could do to be helpful
- Encourage parents that they are needed in the classroom
- Respect and embrace the differences the parents and students share.
- Celebrate and acknowledge student customs
- Learn about and have activities that include traditions
- Display artwork and assignments that are multicultural
- Include multicultural books in the library
- Create a plan that will help implement this relationship
- Clear communication is essential.
- Find out who is available to help translate.
- Send emails often and include brief phone calls home.
- Utilize school translation forms
- Resources available to help. Many of these links include academic, computer based resources to help with bilingual educations.
Strategies for evaluating the effectiveness of the home and school partnerships
Making sure that home and school partnerships are functioning properly is necessary for success. All teachers need to start with a plan. They need to implement it, evaluate it, and then make improvements. There are many strategies available to evaluate the effectiveness of the home and school partnerships. Some ways that are beneficial are:
- Parent involvement inventories
- Parent surveys
- Using self reflections and assessments
- Volunteer logs
- Family friendly checklist surveys
- Involvement calendars
- Setting up home visits and conferences
- Creating school wide open door policies with parents
- http://www.directionservice.org/cadre/pdf/children_conclusion.pdf
In order to ensure a good home and school partnership has been met, teachers and school must evaluate how the program is functioning.
Being bilingual is a gift that should be embraced. Students and parents should be encouraged to engage in both languages.
Commitment by all equals success
Conclusion
In conclusion, the start of a home and school partnership begins with the leaders. This has to be a school priority that is instilled and nourished. Providing this relationship with the families of ELL students will improve the connection, commitment, and education of the largest growing population of students in our school. Together, we can make a difference!