Thursday, March 8, 2007

U.S-born don't learn the language easily

Nearly 1/10 of American's student body speaks predominently Spanish, and English is their second language. The prediction that by the year 2025, 1 in 4 students is expected to be limited in English proficiency is mind boggling! Because of the No Child Left Behind legislature, we as future teachers are expected to cater to the needs of these students and help them to speak English proficiently to the best of our ability. I am personally frightened by this prediction. I have taken 2 Spanish courses, but do not feel nearly capable of instructing and English as a Second Language learner. I personally feel that ESL students need an instructor who can speak to them in their native language to begin with, before moving into learning about English, because how would the students follow directions? Eighty percent of ESL students are born in the United States. I think that perhaps an early intervention should be done for these students. Maybe the parents could bring their preschoolers into a English class once or twice a week so that in the future the students do not fall behind.

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