Blog Post #6

I, too, believe that the new rules regarding ESL learners being proposed by RIDE will do more harm than good.  ESL students need to be placed with ESL certified teachers to guarantee that they are placed in an environment that will give them extensive language support that they so desperately need, and more importantly, deserve.  

After reading the article on language diversity and learning, I’m reminded about the importance of placing ELLs with ESL certified teachers.  I have been exposed to many concepts discussed in this article as a result of my continuing education in ESL.  For example, I would not have learned the damaging effects of over correcting an ESL student during the language learning process as mentioned in the article.  ESL trained educators know that over correcting could result in the following:

• silencing a student
• straining the relationship between teacher and student
• causing harm to the student’s affective filter
• raise anxiety
• cause unmotivation

This one example alone signifies the importance of why ELL learners need to be placed with ESL certified teachers.  ELLs need to placed in environments that will promote and understand the importance of  linguistic diversity, pluralism, cultural diversity and the need for equitable assessments just to name a few.  I could name many more reasons as to why ELLs need to be placed with skilled ESL trained teachers.  

RIDE officials need to understand that in this case, one size does not fit all, and it would be extremely unfair to our ELLs if they continue to think this way.  This image is a reflection of how all our students are different and that one size does not fit all.  I really hope RIDE will consider revising their proposed plan so that ESL students can continue to receive a quality education that they so deserve.