Observation and Reflective Questions

Teaching Issues

What identified problems related to teaching, lesson delivery, materials, and related strategies are present?
Within my classroom one of the challenges I face daily is differentiating instruction to meet the numerous levels of English Language Learners present. This classroom setting consist of students who are considered pre-functional, beginners, intermediate, and early advanced English Language Learners. For me, this create a daily challenge of meeting the needs of my lower performing students as well as challenging my advanced students.

What problems or issues related to teaching -in general-did you observe?
One of the issues I face in the classroom, is maintaining the attention of my low performing students while trying to engage them in an activity for my higher performing learners. Especially for my students who have no English language at all.

What concerns emerged with regard to grouping, interactions, etc. ?
While attending a Kagan workshop this summer, I purchased a software tool which allows you to group your students in a number of ways. The way which I have chosen to group my tables is by having a mixture of abilities at each table. This allows for them to seek partner assistance without always seeking the teachers guidance. One concern that has emerged for me is for my only student who speaks Uzbek/Russian. All my other students have someone they can communicate with in their native language. For this student, he has no one which at times leaves him isolated. Not that the other students do not try to communicate with him I believe they just get frustrated and are not sure what to do or how to communicate with him.

Second Language Acquisition

What did you observe that worked well in promoting second language acquisition?
In this classroom there is lots of modeling, visuals, and repetition of activities. Students are provided with visuals as well as kinesthetic activities to match the oral language which provides students the necessary tools for acquiring the second language successfully.

What type of interactions took place that encourage second language acquisition?
The students are actively engaged in the learning process though there is one student who is causing me a mystery to investigate. This students attempts to engage in conversation with the teacher as well as other students but when we are using music he just stands there and makes no attempt to participate. It is almost like he is in a trance. I find this quite puzzling.

What materials were best suited for the specific second language learners in this setting?
What I found to be most successful with second language learners is the Total Physical Response by Asher as well as Kagan strategies. These strategies provide students with the visual, kinesthetic and auditory learning needed for success in the classroom.

Ethnographic Perspective

What information do you need(as an ESL professional) to better meet the needs of the second language learners in this environment?
I have found the placement test performed by our ELL office beneficial when gaining information on my students. It allows me to see what level of proficiency they are entering the classroom. Yet, I also have to remember these students are 4 and 5 years old and are being tested by strangers and for many they are scared and do not perform well on the test. One of my best tools for gaining information on my students is through observation and conversation with my students as well as student questionnaires I send home for the parents to complete.

How was culture integrated into teaching and learning?
Being aware of students language abilities when presenting the lesson.

What issues or concerns related to culture multiple perspectives, and linguistic diversity emerged?
In this observation, one of my concerns which emerged is my student I discussed earlier who seems to be in a trance when we are involved with a kinesthetic activity. He does engage in conversation in individual conversations,yet when together as a whole group at times he seems in a trance or using robotic movements.