Don't know where to start

I have a few students in my class from Guyana. I teach 7th grade and they have never been to school before. They speak English, but it is so different than the way we speak. They cannot form sentences, let alone words. I have no clue where to start! Any suggestions are GREATLY appreciated!

Re: Don't know where to start

I worked in a school with a predominantly Caribbean population. Your students probably speak some English but mostly Patois (sorry if I butchered the spelling). Since their first language is technically English, the don't qualify for ELL, as per the DOE. I'd go to the ELL teacher and see if he/she can help you out anyway... the syntax and vocabulary of Patois is very different than American English. Assign your students a buddy in your class that might be able to help them out. Make sure you're in contact with the families.

Good luck!