Hi everyone and welcome to my blog! My name is Mackenzie Smith and I am a senior at the University of Houston.
According to Wright, “an English language learner (ELL) is a student who is in the process of attaining proficiency in English as a new, additional language” (Wright, 2010, p.1). I believe that ELLs typically have a hard time transitioning into learning a new language, going to school, making friends, and keeping their grades up. I feel that it is important to remind yourself of this when you have an ELL student in your classroom. It is important to make them feel safe inside of your classroom so that way you are able to let them grow to their fullest potential.
I am nervous to have ELLs in my classroom because I do not want to fail them in my teaching. “The ways educators choose to view their ELLs affects the ways they organize teaching and learning in their classes and the ways administrators structure programs in their schools and districts” (Wright, 2010, p.2). As long as I stay up to date and involved in my ELL students’ lives, I feel that is one way that I can help them to be better in their new language. As a teacher, doing research and finding out what ways your students learn in is a part of your job. I feel that this is one of the most important tasks of our jobs. Making sure that they are able to learn a new language in your classroom with your help and support is the main goal.
Even though it is a scary thought to have an ELL in my classroom, I know eventually it will happen one day and I can’t wait to accept the challenge and help that student grow to their fullest potential.
