Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: Reasonable Expectations For my Methods for English Language Learners (ELL) course at the university, I was assigned to interview two upper-elementary students who were recent immigrants. I picked one Asian and one Hispanic student for the interview, both of whom had good English proficiency. Before talking to the students, I talked to the classroom teacher, Mrs. Morgan. As an experienced teacher, Mrs. Morgan really impressed me with her knowledge about how to teach English Language Learners. She said the most important thing in teaching ELLs was setting reasonable expectations for their performance. When I interviewed the students the next day, I learned a lot about ELLs' experiences. The Asian student said he was confused most of the time. The teacher gave him difficult tasks without detailed directions. He had to rely on his classmates to figure out what to do. The Hispanic student felt like the teacher did not think much of him. He said that especially in math the problems the teacher gave him were too simple for him. He also mentioned that the teacher never called on him. Mrs. Morgan asked me to share my interview findings with her. What should I tell her? What do you think is problematic about Mrs. Morgan's beliefs and practices? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) You should always be honest. Never tell a lie even if the truth burns. There's nothing wrong with good constructive criticism. I think constructive criticism helps you become a better teacher. I think it's a great idea that you talked with the students because you got their honest reactions about their experiences. When it comes to the Asian student, I will give him assignments with clear, detailed instructions. I would maybe break down the task into smaller steps so he won't feel so overwhelmed. She may base her instruction based on the Asian stereotype that Asians are extremely smart. As for the Hispanic student, I think Mrs. Morgan is underestimating what this student can do. She may have other students that are Hispanic and are not doing as well. She may be basing her instruction on other people's learning capabilities. Children learn at different rates. If the Hispanic student is doing well on the first set of problems, I would like to make the problems a little more challenging. If the school work is too easy, he must be bored. Mrs. Morgan has to keep her students engaged in learning. The more engaged the students are, the more effort they will put into their work.