Module 1: Goals for This Course and Thoughts About Article

My goal is to learn many strategies to best help my ELL students to succeed in the classroom, no matter what level of language acquisition they have.  I am looking forward to have more "tools" in my "toolbox" to use with ELLs and all students.

One part of the article that resonated with me was the part about mispronouncing names of students of color.  I can relate to that even with myself.  My last name is always mispronounced and it bothers me.  I always ask students to tell me their names before I try them so I don't mispronounce them and start off on the wrong foot.  Also, I think the most important part of the article is how educators need to make personal connections with their students.  It doesn't happen overnight, but certainly is a goal of mine with all my students.  If students don't feel comfortable with their teacher and do not feel he/she cares, then they won't want to learn in that classroom.  Making connections with students must be the priority before learning can take place.