I teach English 9 and 12. I've had ESL students in the past, but I've never had a student who literally can not speak one word of English. This girl just moved from Honduras two weeks ago. She didn't understand "name," "paper," "pencil," or anything. I know a TINY bit of Spanish, but I'm not going to be able to translate anything into her language. My school doesn't really have an ESL program, so I have no idea what to do. HELP!
I had a first grader last year join my class in January. He'd been in the country for less than a month. He'd never even been to school before. I was amazed at how fast he picked up on the language. I got a computerized translator, but didn't end up needing it since he picked it up so fast. Good luck!!
Well, I've worked with ESL students outside of a classroom setting and in it as well. Your BEST resource is going to be the other students. First off, if you live in an area where ANY of the kids speak her native tongue, then USE them! Partner her up with them. Even if they aren't necessarily high acheivers in the class, they can help her learn the vocab. Your biggest focus with her needs to be just to learn the language. I know it will be hard to teach her the "rules" of English that you are teaching the others, but the other students can help with that. It is also an invaluable experience for the students to teach one another. It will give them a better foundation. If you are doing literature of any kind, see if you can find the book in her native language on Amazon or Ebay. If so, at least she can somewhat participate in the activities about the book, possibly translated through another student. It is much better for her to at least get the instruction in her native lang than not at all. Also, go buy yourself a pocket english-spanish dictionary. At least that way you can translate small things. Good luck and if there is any way I can help, please let me know!
One of the best ways to learn a language is by reading children's books. They can be easily translated and could help you both understand each other. Also, don't assume she can read in Spanish because sometimes people can't. Audio tapes might be helpful.
If you can provide her with anything that provides picture or visual clues as to what you are looking for, that might be helpful. Even demonstrating your instructions as you speak them may work well. (Although be careful that any modifications are done privately, of course.) I had a student who spoke English but could not read in 8th grade and needed everything presented verbally, especially with visual cues, and often I would provide very explicit demonstrations to the class as I explained. It helped everyone get on task.
Arrange a meeting with her parent and recommends she attends a english language school for about 3 months, or talk to the principal.
at the beginning could be very hard but i am sure your student will gradually improve her/his english buy interaction with other kid as i found kid learn more form their peer. working in the group will help too.
I had twins who didn't speak a word of English. I know this is additional work for you, but you can try making flash cards with basic words (table, chair, pen, pencil, etc.) and have them study the cards. I also had the kids draw pictures of words they knew in spanish and use the spanish/english dictionary to translate them.
ESL in this case, please encourge this girl, give her more confident to learn, in my experience, don't hurt her confident. let the girl get used to new envirement, and make friends.give more help.and talk with her relevent her problem, I think later on she will catch up.
First I would get with my department head or Principal and discuss what needs she has and what other options are available. Most districts have a ESL program of some sort possibly at another school.
