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!) I would give her the constructive criticism she needs. We all must have someone at times to help us see where we are misleading our students. It is for their best benefit. Mrs. Morgan is obviously not taking enough time to really know her students and their abilities. She is not creating an atmosphere where the students feel free to ask questions and not wander on in confusion. She also is underestimating the Hispanic child. I think that sometimes teachers think that all immigrant students are low level learners and that they will have a difficult time with every bit of the coursework. However, we must look at each child individually and ascertain their specific level and what best will work for them. You cannot fit every ELL into a cookie cutter mold.