Teachers with ESL expertise (X-post from Career)

I have a student who is from a French=speaking country in Africa. He knows very little English and he is in a regular mononlingual class. For some reason, he's not getting ESL services (which is no big deal because the ESL teacher knows less than I do).

He knows the alphabet, but his vocab is very limited and he can't write sentences. He did not attend school in his native country, so I assume he can't read well (or at all) in his native language.

I don't know where to begin with him- I have some word lists of the most basic words but I don't know how to approach this. Luckily, he is in a class of 20 so I can really sit with him and give him time (and there are also some strong readers who can peer tutor) but I don't know where to start. Any suggestions or web sites would be much appreciated.

Re: Teachers with ESL expertise (X-post from Career)

What grade do you teach? If he has not had any formal education, you are probably going to have to start at a K-1 level.

The first thing I would do is find out why he is NOT getting ESL services. That's just ridiculous! How does anyone expect him to succeed??

If he is not enrolled in an ESL program, he is going to be required to take all state assessments in English. If he is coded as being in ESL, he is allowed certain exams in his native language and possibly an exemption on other exams. It might not be a huge help, since it sounds like he is illiterate in his native language also.

Re: Teachers with ESL expertise (X-post from Career)

First of all, he MUST get ESL services even if the teacher is useless. This is a state mandate and if your school isn't offering them to him the school is out of compliance.

You sound like you are doing exactly what he needs to help him. In your class I would try to simplify and act out as much as you can. You do not want to exclude him from what the other children are doing. Obviously he won't be able to do the same work, but any language input he is getting will help him. Young kids are like little sponges when it comes to acquiring language. Do you have a no grade policy in your school? If so, this kid most definiltely will qualify so don't worry about his grades.

Just show him care and concern and try to include him. Break down your language as much as possible and get him ESL services!

Feel free to FM me if I can help you in any way!

Re: Teachers with ESL expertise (X-post from Career)

Thanks ladies- he's in seventh grade and as far as his individual grade goes, I may be able to give him a pass/fail grade.

I know he's exempt from the state tests because my AP already looked it up. My AP also said he should get ESL- I guess it's a matter of figuring out the schedule of the ESL teacher because it's a pull out program, and I don't want him being pulled out during my class (since it's ELA that's usually when they pull out the ESL kids)