One reason I believe if we were to group all ESL's would be not only limiting their exposure to American culture, but also limiting exposure to English speaking students. The text talks about "students bringing their learning a vast array of linguistics knowledge, cultural experiences, values, and assumptions." These experiences play a critical role in establishing an effective and meaningful literacy curriculum. And through these curriculum's we can create a more varied and rich learning environment for all children.
Children who are all learning English may be grouped together as "though their knowledge and experiences are the same, when indeed the only common thread among them is the face that they are learning English." this approach completely neglects that the students have different backgrounds and communities where they grew up. No student is the same even if they are of the same culture; for instance American children vary greatly from state to state, and even county to county. Why would we treat other nationalities differently?
A third reason why grouping these students together may have a negative impact is that "exposure to the English language may vary greatly from student to student." Some students may know some English words or concepts while others are starting from the basics. By mixing the groups students who are having a hard time learning another language will be able to hear the language in constant use and in real situations.
What is a virtual backpack and how does it relate to Funds of Knowledge?
The virtual backpack is 'along the lines of Moll's work and the Funds of Knowledge." This idea of the 'virtual backpack gives awareness of how students learn outside of school. The students will bring their prior knowledge, skills, values, assumptions, and resources that they have learned from home.' These ideas and notions of the virtual backpack, can make teachers more aware of their students talents and incorporating them into their lesson's as Moll suggested in the Funds of Knowledge.
Getting to know students:developing culturally revelant practices for reading and writing [Web log message]. Retrieved from https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:_5palgT26a4J:media.wiley.com/product_data/excerpt/24/EHEP0005/EHEP000524-1.pdf+getting+to+know+your+students+interview&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESihbHTui0felcMHojEsBpnh8z7NAdzADlw2OA4q9Vocu4GnsE9vU6W8FAkura70mCyuOla1xOr-rr-Fx2SClUgdkg0vR_t62WIa7eI5Xv0hb-0RJGU6wkBN550lYlezIl_CDQ0s&sig=AHIEtbQinv4Hao96DU6foV8n3HZ8ybE5Ng&pli=1
How to Teach Adults English As a Second Language -- powered by ehow
http://www.ehow.com/video_5103556_teach-adults-english-second-language.html
Good understanding of how ESL students vary in language experience and have different needs and strengths!
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