Teaching ESL

     I have had an interest in language and how we learn language since my experience in high school and college with Spanish.  I love learning Spanish words and how they are pronounced, verb conjugations,  basic conversational sentences, etc.  My minor was Spanish, but I was never able to achieve fluency.  I think the reason is that I was never able to be immersed in the language for an extended period of time. 
     Because of my love of languages and kids, and a personal understanding of the difficulties in learning a second language, it seems like a natural fit for me to help students successfully acquire English.  I have never been in the same situation as many immigrant students who do not know any English on the first day of school in an English-speaking class, but I can only imagine the feelings of paralyzing fear that those students  experience.  That is why I feel it is so important to provide a low stress, encouraging environment for these students, so that their experience in learning English is positive.  I want a classroom that promotes interaction and cooperative learning, even if, for some students, that means pointing and acting out at first.  I don't want students to be afraid to do what they need to do to communicate.  However, because I have a background in Spanish, I will hopefully be able to put most Spanish-speaking students at ease by speaking in short phrases in their own familiar language.
      I also think it is important to celebrate the ELL's culture by recognizing his/her important holidays.  In that way ELLs don't feel that they must abandon what is important to them.  They should not have to change who they are to learn English.  In the elementary school that I am a substitute, the Spanish program does a great job of encouraging the ELL to maintain and grow in his/her native language, as well as promoting an appreciation for the Spanish language and culture for English-speaking students. 
     Instead of focusing on differences that may be frightening, I prefer to have a celebration of culture and language to promote learning English.