As an ESL teacher in Trinity, Alabama, I see students who have the added difficulty of learning new material in a foreign language. My students vary in grade level from 5th to 12th grade and come from all different backgrounds. I have students who are on grade level but do not understand any English. I have students who can speak and understand English but have difficulty reading and writing. I also have students who have not attended a school in many years and now have to try to learn on grade level and in English. Most of the time, their parents cannot help them at home because they do not understand English or the materials. Their only help comes from 45 minutes a day with me. I am their advocate. They come to me for supplies and homework help, for advice, and for assistance with job/college applications.
My Project
While first language acquisition usually occurs naturally, second language acquisition takes a little more work. My students come to me at least three times a week to receive additional assistance with language acquisition.
Because my students span eight grades and thirteen+ grade levels, small-group, centers-based learning is the most beneficial.
A horseshoe table and chairs will allow me to work one-on-one with multiple students while others are working independently or in pairs elsewhere in my classroom. This individualized attention will provide the best chance for me to help students reach or surpass grade level in the general education classroom.
Small group, centers-based learning will also allow me to help individual students when teachers send them to me for additional assistance or testing accommodations. My job is to provide support for both the students and my co-workers. A horseshoe table and chairs give me the flexibility needed to assist multiple students working on multiple subjects concurrently, thus minimizing the time the students need to be out of the general education classroom and maximizing the time they have with me.
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