VBLOG ENTRY 1: INTRODUCTION
Hello CUIN 4361 Class!
My name is Ivonne Cardenas and I am a senior at the University of Houston. I am graduating this Spring with my Bachelors of Science in Teaching & Learning with certification to teach EC-6 Generalist/Special Education Supplemental/ESL Supplemental. I am counting the days until Graduation that's how excited I am.
As I mentioned in my video, I grew up in a household where Spanish was the only language that was spoken. My parents were from Mexico, so the language that they knew and were familiar with was Spanish. Because of this, my siblings and I only spoke Spanish in our household because that was the only language that we were exposed to in communicating. My experience entering school was definitely challenging. It was very difficult in the beginning because I had never been exposed to any other language other than Spanish, so entering school and finding out that English was the language that was being used, had me frightened and uncomfortable. I remember I would constantly get pulled out of class to work with an ESL Specialist. Every time I walked inside her classroom, I always found three other students there sitting around the table already waiting. I have to admit it was nice always seeing other students there because they were also learning English along with me, so it didn't make me feel like I was alone. The ESL Specialist would have us do activities as a whole group and at times activities individually. The activities that the ESL Specialist had us do consist of learning how to pronounce, speak, and read words that were in English and read short stories that were in English. Now thinking back, I appreciate the ESL Specialist because she always made sure that the other ELL students that were in the classroom and myself felt like we belong, our native language is equally important (never dismissed it), and made the culture of the classroom very welcoming.
As a future educator, my teaching philosophy is to focus on building and creating a safe and inclusive learning environment for all my students. I want to ensure that all my students feel a sense of belonging every time they step inside my classroom. According to Wright, "Teachers need to know their student's cultural background and how culture influences learning at school" (2019, p.18). Every student is unique, has their own story, and comes from different background. Therefore, my desire is to build a relationship with my students where I can learn more about who they are. I believe this is highly important because learning more and more about each of my students especially my ELL students, I will be able to incorporate learning techniques that best meets and supports all my student's learning. Also, Wright states "Knowing a student's ethnicity and country of origin, for example, allows the teacher to incorporate appropriate multicultural education strategies and techniques into the curriculum" (2019, p.23). Continuing to build a relationship with each of my students, will give me an insight into who they are and how they learn best. For example, getting to know my ELL students, will enhance me to expand my teaching styles to accommodate their learning and everyone else. I need to remind myself when creating lessons and activities for my class, my activities should be very diverse where it supports all my student's learning. By doing this, it will ensure that all my students feel included and welcomed.
References
Wright, W. E. (2019). Foundations for Teaching English Language Learners: Research, Theory, Policy, and Practice (3rd ed.). Caslon Publishing
Hi Ivonne!
ReplyDeleteI relate to your experience with language growing up. I grew up in a Vietnamese-speaking household, it was only when my siblings and I learned English in school that we spoke both languages at home. Similar to your experience, I used to get pulled to work alongside other ELL students with the ESL specialist. She is one of the teachers who influenced me to go into education! Thank you for sharing your teaching philosophy; I admire how inclusive and relationship-oriented it is! As Wright stated, “Information about the students’ ethnicity and culture may help explain some of the student’s behavior in class and suggest things the teacher can do to be sensitive to his or her culture and incorporate aspects of that culture in the classroom” (2019, p. 26). In order to have a culturally responsive classroom, it’s essential to learn about the diverse background of all students who enter our classrooms. From there, we can build a strong foundation for a welcoming and positive classroom environment that ensures the success of all students. Great post!
Hi Quynh!
DeleteThank you for your reply. It was nice reading that we both shared a similar experience. I agree with you on how teachers need to learn the diverse backgrounds of all students that are in their classroom. As Wright stated, "Teachers can also identify multicultural literature that may be interesting and motivating to ELLs in learning to read and could help other students learn about and appreciate their ELL classmates' cultures" (2019, p.26). By teachers learning and incorporating all students cultures in learning, without a doubt all students will feel welcome in learning.
Hello Ivonne!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post and learning about your experience with learning a second language. I can only imagine how hard that new transition was for you going into a school having to learn another language, but I'm glad you had support there. I agree with your teaching philosophy a classroom should be safe and inclusive for all students. One part that I strongly agree with is how you mentioned, "I desire to build a relationship with my students where I can learn more about who they are". Wright stated, "Information about the students’ ethnicity and culture may help explain some of the student’s behavior in class and suggest things the teacher can do to be sensitive to his or her culture and incorporate aspects of that culture in the classroom"(2019, p. 26). For your classroom to truly reflect your vision, it is key to know your students and their background.
Wonderful post!
Hi Davereon!
DeleteThank you for your reply. Every teacher wants all their students to feel welcome in the classroom as well as build a relationship with them. By doing so, every student especially ELLs students will be given the most instruction for their learning. As Wright stated, "Teachers must get to know their students by obtaining information about their sociocultural background. This information will help teachers make the best possible decisions for providing effective instruction for their ELLs" (2019, p. 26). It all ties back to knowing your students; who they are, where they came from, their history, and their background. Teachers knowing all this is the beginning blocks of creating effective instructional lessons to deliver to your ELLs and all your students.