Scenario Response 2

New English language learner in the classroom from the teacher’s perspective - 

As a teacher, it is important to perform the following task before, during, and after receiving a new student from a different culture: 

1.Get to know your student personally, and research their culture.  Forming relationships with students can go a long way to support them in their transition, and they are your first and best resources in helping to understand their cultures.

2. Getting to know the families of your student - This can be achieved by visiting the student at their home or planning a meeting at school.  Also, attending local cultural events would be incredibly helpful to getting to know your new student and understand their needs.  Collaborating with parents is important to supporting all of our students.

3.  Provide accessible academic situations - This includes inquiry based learning with a focus on subjects that are relevant to the English language learner.  Offer scaffolding that helps to support your student including materials in the students native language, and any other language assistance that they need to be successful.

Administrator’s Role in Preparing Teachers for a New Student - 

It is important for administrators to help the teachers plan before the new English language learner even arrives in their classroom.  Administrators can help the teacher prepare by giving them as much information as possible regarding the student’s language capabilities, family and cultural history, and providing resources to help the teacher better understand the culture of their future student.  Once the student has started in their new school, administrators can support their staff by planning meetings for all stakeholders in the student’s success including teachers, counselors, and parents.  This opens the lines of communication between parties, and ensures that all involved realize that administration realizes the importance of teamwork and their availability to facilitate this process.  While this assistance before and during the transition process is important, it is imperative that administrators continue to offer support by checking in with teachers, offering assistance, and continuing to keep lines of communications open between the family and school.