She did not know much English so I knew she needed to start off on an easy reading level. Having someone with a different first language learn to read English was challenging. I had to explain why vowels had different sounds and the different pronunciation of words. I realized that English was much more difficult than I had thought. Learning the language a little at a time throughout my life had made English easy for me to learn, but seeing someone else try to learn it made me understand how learning a new language, especially English, was hard.
Nayeli’s first language is Spanish which she speaks all day long except in her 2 hours of English. She decided to study English because, she likes English and she also wants to go and live in the United States. So her main reason of her studying English as her second language is, so she could be able to communicate fluidly in English and also for better opportunities in life. According to my investigation, questionnaire appliances, daily coexistence with her and actually helping her when she struggles with her homework. I came up with a conclusion of her strongest way of learning.
The question asked from the researcher was, "Does the student have a language-learning disability or is she merely manifesting the normal process of acquiring a second language?" (Bowen). This foreign student may have struggled because of her habits of her language. For example, Spanish mixes up the words differently from English. Therefore, when an English-speaking person says, "the red hous... ... middle of paper ... ...http://web.lexisnexis.com/universe>.
I conducted my diverse field experience hours at Chiddix Junior High School. I had the opportunity to observe two sixth grade Spanish classes taught by Mrs. Lord. The two Spanish classes that she taught had different personalities. Her first class was more quiet and engaged in the material compared to her second class. The second class was much more talkative and would easily get off task.
Bilingual books are especially important. By providing text in a student’s native language and a new language, students feel more comfortable trying to learn new words when they also have the comfort of words that they already know. Colors! ¡Colores! by Juan Luján and Piet Grobler tells a story about colors in both English and Spanish.
The teachers agreed that They have all used the Spanish resources available to the school to help fill out the paperwork needed for school. These sources include translators and helping enroll parents (who are willing) into an English class offered for Spanish parents at the school to help teach them basic English. The teacher’s interview also agreed that older siblings do a lot to help their parents and younger siblings. They will attend conferences for the younger siblings and translate for their parents. In other cases, they will do drop off and pick of the siblings and ask questions for their parents.
I had become accustomed to translating for my parents at school conferences and to speak with authoritative figures. I felt I had a role of importance being in their lives as they had in mine when teaching me Spanish while growing up.
I was confused while writing is a main point in my major. Before my university career, in order to adapt new language environment, my advisor recommended me to take English Second Language lesson. Indeed, I learned too much from the ESL. My vocabulary and spoken skill was promoted. However, writing was still a block for me.
As I write in English I have faced many challenges to include learning to think in English before I write. I am use to think in Spanish and therefore the words flow as a river with minimum effort on my part. I have tried to think in Spanish, translate my thoughts and then writing in English but has proven to be the most difficult process to follow. As I wrestled with the idea of writing in English and learning to think in English, my writing has become better with each assignment. As I reflect on how my writing has evolved, it is my intention to compare how the different tools and genres of writing had helped me write academically papers and how I expect to continue to better myself for mu future, even after I graduate from college.
Spanish is still really hard for me to speak, read, or write since I have always spoke English and I’ve always preferred English. Since I lived in the United States my whole life where a good percentage of people speak English but I would love to go to a country where they speak Spanish for example Spain. Even if it’s widely used in New Mexico it would be different to go somewhere where that’s the main language spoken. Also because there’s a lot of different slang terms and certain things that are different everywhere. I also think it would be a good way to learn more of the language and understand it.