Mod 2 Discussion: Getting to Know Our Students and Why

Getting to know our ELL students is honestly one of the most important things we can do as teachers. Every student brings their own story, background, and culture into the classroom, and for ELLs, that can really impact how they learn, how they communicate, and how comfortable they feel at school. If we take time to understand where they're coming from—what languages they speak at home, what school looked like for them before, what their family life is like—it helps us build trust and meet them where they are. Culture plays a huge role too. Things like eye contact, how they ask for help, how they interact with adults, or even how they view time and deadlines might be totally different from what we're used to, but not "wrong." When we’re aware of these cultural differences and open to learning from our students, we create a much more inclusive space where they feel safe and seen. That’s when real learning can happen.