teach+ELL

In an article called "Barriers to Meaningful Instruction", the author explained that an effective way in which teachers can overcome barriers to provide meaningful instruction is through strategies based on a social interactionist theory, like Vygotsky. Utilizing Vygotsky, a teacher would use a lot of modeling and scaffolding in order for the students to eventually become independent thinkers and problem solvers. Teachers should also treat English learners with respect and to try and build a personal relationship not only with the students, but with their families. Once the students and teachers build this relationship based on respect, then the students will feel like they can trust the teacher, so their relationship deepens.


 * Meg's Response**: Zohra, your question is an apt one given the burgeoning multicultural climate of our schools, and your notation about the importance of modeling and scaffolding is an apt one. I have learned from my own experiences within the classroom that this issue of respect is crucial when developing relationships with all students. I would encourage you to think in more specific terms about how specifically you would incorporate this modeling and scaffolding into your own language instruction-particularly when addressing English language learners.