Language is Art

Language is Art

When it comes to selecting reading materials for ESL students, I feel that there are many factors to consider. I think that the vocabulary should be appropriate for the student's ability. If the student is very new to English, a higher focus on BISC would be more appropriate. The use of natural dialogue would be more fitting than primarily academic language. Nonfiction materials must be scrutinized heavily for students new to English because of the amount of difficult vocabulary.

Additionally, illustrations are very important to the ESL reader. With native speakers, illustrations are important to keep the young reader's attention. However, illustrations serve an additional purpose to the ESL student. Illustrations play a major role with comprehension. Illustrations should be chosen that help the ESL student the actions that are occurring in the story. Additionally, illustrations that feature objects are appealing to allow for teachable moments during lessons.

Promoting literacy is very important for any learner. Parental involvement is key to the success of any learner. I feel that parents should be guided so that they can help their children learn. With ESL students, parents will need extra help promoting literacy at home. The importance of literacy does not apply to only L2. If parents are unable to help with L2 literacy, they can help the student maintain/extend L1 literacy. If the parents show that books and reading are important at home, then the student will extend that attitude into the school.

It is also important to mention that not all books are good books. Even though you can get a book on the bargain table at a bookstore, it doesn't make it good enough to have in your classroom. It is important to find a reason why you have the books in your classroom library. If it is because of the vocabulary, illustrations, content? The answer should not be "because the book was on sale." I know that when I choose children's literature at a bookstore, I sit down and read part or all of the book. I am looking for books that have key vocabulary, meaningful illustrations, or key concepts. I look for books that make me see that language is art.

What makes you choose books for your classroom?

There is no Frigate Like a Book...

There is no frigate like a book

To take us lands away,

Nor any coursers like a page

Of prancing poetry.

This traverse may the poorest take

Without oppress of toll;

How frugal is the chariot

That bears a human soul!

- Emily Dickinson

In the above poem, Dickinson describes a book as better than any frigate (boat), courser (horse), or traverse (passage/bridge). Dickinson uses analogies that have connotations related to taking a journey. This is not a mistake. Poetry interpretations are completely subjective. However, to me, this poem is illustrating the idea that books can take you places. As a child, I always heard adults say that books can take you places. I thought the phrase meant that I could read books and use my imagination to learn about or see far away places.

However, my idea of what that phrase means has changed in the last 5 years. While in undergraduate school, I served food for 40 hours per week at Ruby Tuesday. It was physically and cognitively exhausting! It made me genuinely appreciate the sacrifices I made for my textbooks and the information in them.

In the last year, I have experienced my first year of teaching while taking online graduate courses. I have seen the ways below-average language skills can affect a student behaviorally, socially, and emotionally. Reading and/or books is much more than using your imagination to see other places. It is now as an adult that I equate literacy to freedom. The ability to read, write, and effectively communicate opens so many doors!

That is why I teach. When I started undergraduate school, the driving purpose I had was to change the world. I realized that empowering youth with knowledge is changing the world. I now want to empower and liberate students that cannot communicate in their new environment. My view ESL teaching is grounded in feelings of compassion and culture. ESL teachers must be compassionate to assuage the language shock felt by some ESL students. Serious distress can be caused from consistently not being able to communicate thoughts, feelings, and emotions in the second language. Click here for a more detailed list of what language shock feels like to language learners. Additionally, ESL teaching is introducing students to diversity and new cultures. The ability to accept diversity is predominantly suffering in schools. I want to create a classroom environment that facilitates growth in all cultures represented in the room - and even in cultures in which none of the students are familiar!