Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Go Back                 Case Posted on February 20, 2017 11:36 pm Add to Favorites aMyvaz Reps: 201 Lonely Student One of the ESOL students in my class has no friends and does not talk to anyone socially, other than when directed for school work. How can I help this student make friends?                 Submit a Possible Solution Please read response(s) below (if any) before posting your solution.                 Solution 1 Posted February 25, 2017 7:41 pm etyWys Reps: 205 There may be many reasons why this student does not have any friends socially, including shyness. Including the student in group work may help, but what about doing a lesson on different cultures and ensure this student gets the chance to share something special about their culture. Maybe the other students need to know the ESOL student better. Votes: +41 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Jenna Herberson Reps: 200 Including them in group work is a wonderful solution.   Posted on: March 6, 2017 4:31 am yLeQud Reps: 101 i agree with including them in group work and giving a lesson on different cultures may help the students better understand each others backgrounds   Posted on: October 14, 2017 10:22 pm ePuzej Reps: 200 Including them in group work is a great idea. Also encouraging other students to get to know the student would help. This is the best solution.   Posted on: February 19, 2019 3:27 pm Add a Comment                 Solution 2 Posted February 23, 2017 2:56 pm Cortnie Reps: 225 The student may not be speaking to anyone because they are uncomfortable in their new environment, or do not want to be made fun of for their lack of fluency in their new language. It is not always possible to pair a student with another who speaks their native language, so it is a good idea to create activities that do not require verbal communication, like matching games or illustrations. This is more of a case for support than pushing the student to socialize in a way that makes them uncomfortable. Votes: +15 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 3 Posted February 27, 2017 3:17 pm Breanna Bunnell Reps: 201 It may take time for this student to feel comfortable to try to speak English, depending on where he/she stand in language acquisition. I would do activities as a class to get to know each other and to talk with one another. The student will eventually click with someone and socialize. Votes: +7 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 4 Posted February 27, 2017 1:55 am Allyssa Straquadine Reps: 275 Something a little out of the ordinary may be to ask the PE teacher for some suggestions. Many times ESOL students can begin to feel more comfortable around their peers when they play sports. Sports are one of those things that the student can be good at without speaking English, and will not be judged on their ability to speak. Physical activity creates a low-stress environment and an alternative way for the students to express themselves. Once they feel more comfortable and relatable around their peers, they may feel more comfortable speaking in class. Kind of an odd solution but it may just do the trick! Votes: +6 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 5 Posted February 27, 2017 3:32 am beTyZa Reps: 201 This sounds pretty obvious, but make sure you are accommodating your ESOL students during lessons so that they are learning English efficiently. Maybe you could try and talk to some friendly students and get them to talk to this lonely student. Votes: +5 / -1 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution ePuzej Reps: 200 I do not think this will fix the problem. perhaps engaging and involving them in group work would help   Posted on: February 19, 2019 3:28 pm Add a Comment                 Solution 6 Posted February 26, 2017 3:10 am aZunet Reps: 100 you can give the class something to do to work towards a common goal. usually if you give students the time to work towards a common goal it gives the possibilities of friendships to spark. Votes: +4 / -1 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 7 Posted February 21, 2017 6:18 pm ytupyQ Reps: 208 It could be a good idea to introduce that student to other students that speak the same language. They could help the ESOL student better speak english. Sometimes ESOL students feel alienated since they cannot keep up with conversation. Votes: +3 / -2 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution yLeBun Reps: 200 I think that is a great idea. I would try getting a group together where it is easier for the ESOL student to communicate.   Posted on: February 26, 2017 10:10 pm Add a Comment                 Solution 8 Posted October 3, 2017 10:50 pm yneLaH Reps: 202 You can help this student make friends by doing an interest inventory in the class. Ice breakers or similar activities would help. For example, students could cross to the other side of a circle if they agree with what is being said, such as, "I like ice cream." This way, students can see that despite their differences, they have similarities. Additionally, work on creating a community and loving environment in the classroom that facilitates opportunities for students to make friends. Votes: +2 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 9 Posted October 5, 2018 8:46 pm uDyJeZ Reps: 203 Try doing a long term group assignment in which students work together in and out of class to collaborate on a project. He may open up with the students he is in a group with since the setting is smaller than in the full classroom Votes: +2 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 10 Posted February 25, 2017 7:02 pm nydyra Reps: 202 Not all Spanish speaking students may be ESOL. Your ESOL student should have a partner in class to begin with. This partner, if available, should be a Spanish speaking student who can translate directions as well as bond with them. Otherwise, do more group activities with the students and make sure to pair up your ESOL student with someone who you know is social as well as friendly. Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 11 Posted July 10, 2017 3:29 am qyGaQa Reps: 173 Try to create opportunities for students to interact on a more social level than a class activity, like free time and stuff like that. Also, find clubs that the school offers that the student may be interested in and try to get them involved. Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 12 Posted October 4, 2017 7:42 pm uSaPeL Reps: 201 Is the student's english proficiency level low? Are they new to the US? If so, I'm sure the student is shy about talking to students because they may feel they won't be able to communicate well. I would suggest sitting him next to some higher level students and pairing them with higher level, friendly students in class and during group work. This will hopefully get them a little more comfortable and willing to open up and they learn conversational speak faster this way. Also include this student's native country and culture into the material as often as possibly. This will also get the child to feel more comfortable and may even encourage them to share their insights with the class. Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 13 Posted October 8, 2017 5:13 pm yZanaJ Reps: 202 Encourage student in group activities maybe start in small 2-3 student groups. Also have a seating chart set where she may sit with another student who is more social. This will help with language acquisition also. The more social interaction the more comfortable the student will feel. Also I would talk to the ESOL teacher because other students in the school may speak her native language and might be able to get them together for some activities. Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 14 Posted October 8, 2017 11:11 pm eBenyL Reps: 101 Try talking to the student and getting to know them better that way you can introduce and encourage the classmates to interact with the student and make friends. Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 15 Posted October 9, 2017 1:27 am Travis Cannon Reps: 211 I would sit him next to a more talkative student. If the loudest student in your class can't seem to make him talk then i would assume he is just shy. in that case i would try to set up a situation where him and another shy kid can interact together in peace. Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 16 Posted October 13, 2017 2:55 am Xaparu Reps: 201 I think you should maybe pull a few students aside and tell them what ESOL means and see if they are willing to make and effort to become friends with that student. Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 17 Posted February 25, 2018 6:49 am uBybuz Reps: 203 If your classroom assigns jobs to the students, try assigning jobs that require him to be social and get to know the students. For example, he can pass out the planners at the end of the day. This would help him learn his classmates names and connect the name to the face. Pair him up with a very active, social student who can help him and show him around. Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 18 Posted October 15, 2018 3:49 am yHuDeV Reps: 109 Maybe make a group project that has her connect with other students. Or change the seating chart. Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 19 Posted October 14, 2019 1:22 am aQamen Reps: 100 Create situations in the classroom where students will be working together. Couple this student with other students that will be kind and patient. Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 20 Posted February 26, 2017 1:51 am uWuXyj Reps: 232 ESOL students can be very scared and intimidated when they come to a new place with a new language. Be welcoming and inviting when they come in. If there is not another student in the class that has the same native language, try and talk to the counselor of the school to see if there is a mentor program where the student can have some one they feel comfortable around. if this does not work, talk to the parents and see if they can help. This is a hard adjustment, but make sure the student is supported and given attention. Votes: +1 / -1 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 21 Posted February 20, 2018 5:00 pm WaTeLa Reps: 100 I work with an ESOL student who in the beginning of the year was very lonely. This was because of the language barrier. Once she started working with her bilingual assistant she was able to learn English at a faster rate, once she was comfortable in her speaking she started making friends. Votes: +1 / -1 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 22 Posted February 26, 2017 7:22 pm beTyze Reps: 211 You can make group work where you pick the group so they don't feel left out and maybe they will even make a new friend. Votes: +1 / -2 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 23 Posted March 6, 2017 2:07 am beTyze Reps: 211 Make group work and assign partners. Votes: +1 / -2 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 24 Posted February 22, 2017 5:12 pm Mynuqy Reps: 100 Try to include him in a lot of group work Votes: +1 / -10 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Submit a Possible Solution Please read response(s) below (if any) before posting your solution.