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Teaching English Learners in Arkansas






This chapter in our textbook outlines the different modes of educating English learners in United States classrooms today.  The most common method is complete immersion for English learners.  That is, students who are placed in public school classes are almost always expected to receive virtually all instruction in English. There are alternative, though less commonly used strategies, including bilingual programs.
            Statistics show complete immersion for English learners does not work very well.  Asking students to learn curriculum while also learning English without support is unfair and inefficient.  Still, in Arkansas, the current law requires that bilingual education is not permitted in public schools. 
              So how will I, as a future teacher, effectively instruct English learners?  I guess that I will use the same teaching practices I plan to use for all students, only I will use extra care to differentiate for English learners.  I will make sure I speak slowly and clearly, use lots of visuals, repeat instructions, model, build on student interest and background knowledge, and more.  These are all effective teaching strategies for any student, but I know that with English learners, I will need to be especially mindful that simply talking at students is not going to be useful.  Perhaps one day, state legislators will recognize and embrace the fact that bilingual education leads to better academic success for English learners.

 Ch. 6 Theories and Methods of Bilingual Education

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