TESOL Standards vs. TESOL Technology Standards

It is sometimes confusing to distinguish between TESOL standards and TESOL Technology Standards. Below, I typed up a short description using both books that hopefully will hope clarify between the two.

TESOL Technology Standards: The TESOL technology standards provide standards that are based on technology integration. These standards help provide a better understanding and how they can be applied in different contexts. The TESOL technology standards are very helpful because it provides assistance with available technology. This can include little technology or a greater amount. The resources provide technology alternatives since technology plays an important role in ELL academic success. There are three goals TESOL provides. 1. Language learners demonstrate foundational knowledge and skills in technology for a multilingual world. 2. Language learners use technology in socially and culturally appropriate, legal, and ethical ways. 3. Language learners effectively use and critically evaluate technology- based tools as aids in the development of their language learning competence as part of formal instruction and for further learning. 

TESOL Proficiency Standards: The TESOL Standards consist of five different standards for ELL students. The first standard is based on a need for social, intercultural, and instructional purposes. The other standards focus on academic areas that include math, science, language arts, and social students. . TESOL standards are joined with lesson plans to make sure all parts of the lesson reach certain objectives. TESOL has a focus on language proficiency in schools. These standards reflect academic language proficiency that is connected to content standards for ELL students based on English proficiency.

TESOL Technology and the classroom

This article helped discus the importance of implementing TESOL technology standards into the classroom. It isn't long, however is worth reading.

http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/tesoleeis/issues/2012-11-13/3.html

ELLs and Running Records: Miscue Analysis

I recently came across an article on BroadyESL in regards to Running Records and ELL students. As a first grade reading teacher, running records are completed on a weekly basis, and I am constantly looking for ways to better my approaches with ELL students. WIDA created a list of "tips" that should be taken into consideration. These includes providing sufficient processing time, fully understanding miscues, and even learning more about your student's native language. This article is a must read!
http://widaatwcer.blogspot.com/2013/03/running-records-and-ells-miscue-analysis.html

Indian Culture

Below you will find a video regarding Indian culture. You will also find tips for teachers on how to create a culturally responsive school and how to help parents become more involved.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBUJtT1y-NA

Chinese Wedding Traditions

One thing I find very interesting is the concept of wedding traditions around the world. Today, I researched wedding traditions in China. This site contains both past and present wedding traditions in the Chinese culture. One thing I thought was interesting was when planning the wedding date. "Auspicious days are subject to interpretation by fortune tellers that perform the analysis based on one’s birth date (day and hour) after consultation with the Chinese almanac." I know when my husband and I got married, we looked for open dates for the venue and the pastor. I also thought it was neat how history and ancient traditions are important. I especially like when the importance of letters are discussed.

"Request Letter: This letter confirms the formal arrangement of a marriage.  It is sent by the groom's family to the bride's family.  This letter is normally presented with the initial gifts for the bride's family.

Gift Letter This letter accompanies the formal gifts for the Bride's family.  It is actually a gift list that records the description and quantity of the gifts.
Wedding Letter This letter is presented to the bride's family on th day of the wedding.  It confirms the act of bringing the bride into the groom's family."
http://www.chinese-poems.com/wedcus.html

Teaching Tip: Teaching Comprehension Strategies for ELLs

Comprehension can be somewhat difficult for ELL's. Consider these tips when teaching comprehension

• Introduce the comprehension strategy (this can include sequencing, making inferences, comparing/contrasting, relating background knowledge, distinguishing between fact and opinion, finding the main idea and details, problem solving, self- questioning, summarizing, drawing conclusions)
• Discuss how, when, where and why the strategy is used. Give specific examples
• Label, define, model and explain the strategies
• Discuss how the strategy was applied

Even more practice for ELLs can include:

• Identifying vocabulary words
• Model think alouds
• Demonstrate strategies to help clarify the text
• Plan for self- assessment

Mixing Languages

In Bilingual Life and Reality, the myth presented is that language mixing in children is a due to laziness. However, this is not the case.  "It is important to view within- and between-language mechanisms (overgeneralizations, simplifications, interferences, and so on) as strategies employed by children in their effort to use their weaker language" (193). Some other possible reasons include such as interference, filling in language gaps in the weaker language, and language mode (monolingual mode vs. bilingual mode). This helps to have an understanding as to why children may mix languages.