Reflection on reading materials and promoting literacy for ELLs

Hello everyone. Hope you all are doing well. Well...here is my second blog, I'm very excited to have made it this far. Enjoy.

The past couple of weeks I' ve been working on projects for a class that focus on evaluating reading materials and promoting literacy for ELLs.

I have to say this was not an easy project for me, because I've never thought about having to select three different types of reading materials for my ELLs. It wasn't easy, but now I know that it is extremely important it is to select the appropriate reading materials for your ESL students.

I feel that the most important factor in selecting reading materials is the material needs to be interesting and relate to your students. Whether it be their culture, their hobbies, their families, etc.

Another very important factor is to select age and language proficiency appropriate materials for your students in order to avoid frustration and low self esteem with your students. At the same time however, you must keep in mind that Zone of Proximinal Development that we are always hearing about, else your students will get bored. Its like a balancing act and in order to keep your balance you have to keep all of these things in mind.

If you can keep your balance with all this factors, ( I am envisioning a clown on a ball doing a juggling act), you will be able to promote literacy to your students.

Until I blog again,

Georgia

My New ESL Blog First Entry

Hello to all!

My name is Georgia Hemrick and this is a blog to share with you my experiences with teaching English as a Second Language.

I am currently working on a masters in Curriculum & Instruction with a concentration in English as a Second Language.

My first love is teaching, and when I had the opportunity to work with English Language Learners (ELLs) at an elementary school, I was hooked. I felt like I was really making a difference in my students lives and they were so appreciative of my attention and effort.

At this time, I do not have a classroom of my own, but I cannot wait until I do. I am a licensed Theatre Arts teacher and I am very excited about using child drama, and role play lessons that I have created when I get that ESL teaching gig.

ESL teachers are so important to our society. I know that you all have heard racist comments like "if you're gonna live in the United States speak the language". This statement is so ridiculous because if we don't provide a means to teach ELLs then how will they learn to speak "the language"?

My goal is to make it possible for ELLs to succeed in today's society not only in their academic careers but in the real world as well. I cannot wait until I attend the graduation of the first class of ESL students that I teach. I will be beaming with pride.

I look forward to sharing my experiences with you.

Until I blog again,

Georgia