Chapter 1 BLOG

When I started this course, I had very little idea who English learners were. I did not know the different classifications or the various purposes for learning English. When starting this chapter, I was struck by the first two sentences. “Language is a powerful means of communicating the deepest and highest desires, dreams, and ideals of humanity. Language helps use to fulfill our potential, to share our inner selves with others, or to act on the world powerfully” (Diaz-Rico, p. 1). The English learners, in America and around the world must feel as strongly about their native language as we do in America. Are we the only ones who force people to learn our language when they immigrate? After reading this chapter, I know that we are not the only country to ask this of our students. It appears, though, that we are failing in educating our ELs in public education. In many inner-city schools the EL constitute a large percentage (sometimes half) of the dropout population. Pre-K now stresses the need for educating our ELs. “The future productivity of the U.S. workforce depends on our current commitment to providing high-quality early childhood education programs for all children, but especially for the quickly growing Latino population” (Pre-K Now, 2008).
This article can be found at: http://www.readingrockets.org/article/26098.


Response to Peers:
“I have to admit that when I think of English Language Learners I think of Latinos or individuals from Hispanic descent. This comes from my background experience of working in school districts the service a predominantly Latino community,” said Jose Tapia. Like Jose, I have had a very limited view of who ELs are. I work in a school where the only second-language learners are Spanish speakers. This chapter was an eye opener for me as well. There are so many people trying to learn English and there are a variety of reasons for them to learn English. When I was reading the chapter, I was interested in the fact that they spread of English is putting other languages at risk. Amanda Wright addressed this same concern. She said, “I also learned that languages are actually endangered, I have grown so accustomed to English it is hard for me to imagine our native language would be gone forever; just like other languages have disappeared.” It is sad to think that people’s languages, and possibly cultures, will be gone forever. Do they even realize what they are giving up.