In my experience as an Educational Assistant, I have been fortunate enough to gain meaningful knowledge in supporting students of various linguistic backgrounds. English has a place in the classroom, but it should not replace or override any of the diversity that individual students and families already possess. By allowing family members to maintain their identity in collaboration with classroom content and teachers will allow all students to feel as home in their learning environment, and most importantly equally valued.
Although there were plenty of examples described in the text, I was drawn to a couple key elements. A response to the integration of multilingual strategies that seemed most appropriate to the potential demographics of learners would be LAP. Learning Appropriate Practices facilitate the learning of the English language, while promoting and addressing the need for students to maintain progress in their primary language.
One way educators can easily support areas of multilingualism is by creating visual aids, supports, and resources that respond to the potential diversity within a school. Furthermore, teachers can apply a person centred approach to begin addressing which learning strategies will work best for them. Additionally, offering opportunities for teachers to create an open spaces for guardians to provide insight on what might work best for the individual student relating to language diversity.
I liked how you used your experience as an EA to connect and add to this blog post.
I’m not sure if LAP relates to the final paragraph suggesting visual aids, etc. so that might be made more clear.
Your point about supporting students with English while not overriding their family’s life was important I thought.
Hi Tyler,
I enjoyed reading your post and your perspective, especially having experience already in the classroom. Your comment on how English shouldn’t override families’ current situations, as their language is a part of one’s identity. I somewhat agree with this comment, I do agree you should not remove other languages students speak, but do think it is very important that students learn English in Canada, since well over half the population speak the language.
Person-centered approaches would be very handy in the classroom since every child is different, and understanding and use what works for the individual child would be best.
Again, another great comment on including the student’s family into the learning process is a great teaching strategy.
Great post.