Thursday, March 17, 2011

Language Barrier- Any Tips?

I just got an email that we will have a new 2nd grade starting at school who speaks only Spanish.  I've never been in this situation before!  I asked my principal and he said he could give me a few tips and also suggested another teacher to talk to but I thought I would ask some Art teachers...  Do you have any tips for me?  I'm kind of nervous.  I want to make sure that this student has the same opportunities and gets as much out of Art class as the other students.  I know that Art is a "universal language" but I'm wondering about communicating expectations and directions for projects.  I always demonstrate for the class when we start a new project but beyond that, what should I do?  Thank you for any help you can offer!

Oh and I should add that my Spanish skills are very limited.  I did well in my 2 years of Spanish in high school but that's probably not worth a whole lot.  I know some words but I don't think I could carry on a conversation.

10 comments:

  1. I was in the same boat as you 5 years ago when I began teaching art at a newly built school that contains my district's ESL program. I teach a large number of Somali students and students from Mexico, China and all over. Many began school without knowing ANY English. I was so nervous at first but I can now say all you have to do..is what you ARE doing. Demonstrating step by step for them is very important and speak slowly- your new student will be learning English and you will be helping your student with that. Smile a lot, relax and have fun and so will he/she. Like you said- art is the universal language and my ESL students are some of my most creative artists and I do not speak ANY foreign language. Hope this helps!

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  2. Thanks, that is reassuring. I didn't realize her older sister has already started at my other school. Sounds like she will have an interpreter with her part of the time. She said "Tell her interpreter to let her know you know her sister!" Sister is one word I do remember, hermana! Too bad I never learned how to roll my "r"s!

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  3. I would bet I get a new non-English speaker at least once a month. Don't sweat it, Katie. They all seem to absorb what you are doing like a sponge. I seat them the closest to me during a demonstration and with caring partners during work time. Kids love to help them out. You won't believe how fast these little ones pick up the language. Art seems to be one of their favorite subjects because so much of it is with visual language.

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  4. I know you will do great! I agree with the amomymous poster, keep doing what you are doing. I also stop by my ESL students check if they need additional demonstration just incase I went too fast. Plus it is fun to see one or two of the other students take over your job by "helping" the new student. It's kind of like a mini me reteaching for them. I just have to be sure my mini me follows the directions too. :)

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  5. You'll do fine, and so will the child. I've had a number over the years,who didn't speak a single word of English when they arrived, from a boy from Denmark in grade 4 and his first grade sister, and now my new Chinese girl in grade 4, and so on. They watch, and catch on quickly. And the other kids seem to LOVE to help these ESL kids and can get through to them when I cannot. They are a l ovely addition to the class. When the Danish kids moved away I was so heartbroken. And their mom told me that art was the place the boy felt most accepted. His first week, I'll never forget it: we were doing a straw weaving project. He caught on to the process immediately by watching. After he finished each color, he walked over to the color wheel, examined it carefully, and then tied on the next color and kept weaving. Nobody told him to to do this, but it was a GORGEOUS rainbow when it was done.

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  6. I never thought of having another student help... I have lots of students who would LOVE to be a helper! Thanks!

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  7. Comment I accidentally deleted from Mrs.Art Teacher:
    60% of my school is Ell kids and about 20% of that are "newcomers" and don't stress about it at all. Spanish is nice because by the end of spring break you can learn the basic colors, numbers 0-10 and names for some basic shapes. Just those few words will help you get your point across. I always have a few notecards for my newest kids with a clip art drawing of an art material and the word in English and I give the stack of cards to the kid, point to the word, and say, "escribir (s-scrrri-bar) pa fa vor." he/she should understand to then write the word for the object in Spanish. Then when I give instruction and I see a confused look on the kids face and I can just hand them the card that shows them what to get or do. Really though...kids are really really smart and adaptable. The classmates will help, the new student will figure it out, you'll be surprised to find that some kid in the class speaks Spanish at home and no one really knew it. Just don't press the new student to "repeat after your" for the first month or so, that is really stressful and often embarrassing as they are working to learn and process the language. When a student is ready to leave their "silent period" they will. Try looking int SIOP teaching methods. Or if you email me I will send you a longer email with some more ideas that we use every day all over our school. We have 23 languages spoken and the kids get along just fine:)

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  8. I remember the colors and numbers to 10 and had started to look up shape names before her class. She did great, especially for showing up on the last day of the project. And her classmates are pumped about her being here! They are all very eager to help and think it's cool that she speaks another language. I remember some more verbs but not how to change them for I, you, he/she, etc. I like the notecard idea, that could be really helpful! Thanks!

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  9. At the school where I teach, about 25% of my students are Hispanic, with varying degrees of English proficiency. I speak a little Spanish, but not much. I have found that if I keep finding eye contact with the students that I know don't speak as much English during instruction, I can make sure they are following, as I demonstrate everything to the class. After demonstration, I often "pow-wow" with that student to ask "Tienes preguntas para mi?" ("Do you have any questions for me?"). Usually using my limited Spanish and gestures, we can figure it out. Also, you know what you will be teaching that student ahead of time--look up key terms that you are going to be introducing (texture, landscape,etc.), so you will know how to say them in Spanish to explain. As long as you put yourself out there as being friendly and helpful, most students will become comfortable seeking you out to "show" their questions. No worries--I LOVE my ELL kiddos! :)

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  10. This happens a lot at the school I am at - though often they are Kindergarten students. I try to encourage the other students to help and make sure my non-speaking student is around good role models.

    When demonstrating I try and use as many visual clues as possible - shaking my head for things not to do, nodding for things one should do.

    I use a lot of pictures in my classroom for where things belong - which helps everyone who struggles with reading.

    Be patient with them - lots of visual clues - smiles, nodds, thumbs up is very helpful.

    Before you know it they will be talking and you won't know who it is!

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