Thoughts on Mr. Larievy's Presentation

Class on Tuesday was very enlightening because I felt like it was the first time I was actually taught something about ELL students. In the past I had heard that I would have ELL students in my classroom and that I would have to differentiate my instruction, but I had no idea how to approach teaching these students. I was also not aware that there were other models besides full English immersion programs for ELL students. I was not surprised that research shows that students learn better in their native language, but what surprised me was the fact that there are very few schools that recognize this and offer the opportunity for students to be bilingual and learn in both English and their native language. I was also shocked by the speech written by Teddy Roosevelt, about only having enough room for one language in the United States, English. What really made me think about these words was the comment that Mr. Larievy made in response to the speech. He said that everyone else (outside of Americans) thinks it’s important and necessary to be fluent in multiple languages. Some countries require students to know four languages in order to be considered for admission into college, but in the U.S. we only know one! I believe that Americans are less intelligent and not as prepared to participate in global society as a result of this. We are not only being ignorant by ignoring the importance of being fluent in several languages, but we are limiting our opportunities as a country as well. If we ask our ELL students to learn English so they can participate in society, why do we not learn other languages so we can participate in the rest of the world? I wish I knew another language (the German I learned in high school has escaped me) and I think it is essential that we teach children that knowing a language other than English is of great value, rather than a hindrance. I think all children could benefit from being bilingual. Overall, today’s class made be much more aware of the needs of ELL students. ELL students can teach English speaking students just as much as they can learn from them.