engaging families of english language learners

ENGAGING FAMILIES OF ENGLISH

LANGUAGE LEARNERS

Liza J. Castronuevo

• Why are such efforts important?

• What strategies and activities have teachers found to be successful in their classrooms and schools?

• What issues and challenges must teachers keep in mind?

THE IMPORTANCE OF INVOLVING FAMILIES

Students do better in school when teachers and parents are on the same page about what’s happening in the classroom, what’s expected on tests, and what’s needed to support each student’s learning.

THE IMPORTANCE OF INVOLVING FAMILIES

Dearing, Kreider, Simpkins, and Weiss (2006) found a predictive relationship between high levels of parental involvement and the children’s eventual literacy performance.

SUCCESSFUL WAYS TO INVOLVE FAMILIES OF ELL

COMMUNICATING WITH FAMILIES

Communicate to the families that their involvement is valued.

SUCCESSFUL WAYS TO INVOLVE FAMILIES OF ELL

INVOLVING FAMILIES IN THE CLASSROOM

Provide a variety of ways to encourage participation beyond the traditional activities.

SUCCESSFUL WAYS TO INVOLVE FAMILIES OF ELL

INCREASING HELP AT HOME

Figure out ways to help families become involved in supporting students’ academic work at home.

SUCCESSFUL WAYS TO INVOLVE FAMILIES OF ELL

ENGAGING FAMILIES IN WORKSHOP AND OTHER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Engaging families in this way is a means of building trust and developing effective relationships.

SUCCESSFUL WAYS TO INVOLVE FAMILIES OF ELL

VISITING IN STUDENTS’ HOMES

Visiting students’ way is an effective way of knowing the families better than a brief encounters in school.

CHALLENGES INVOLVING FAMILIES

• TIME• TRANSPORTATION• FUNDS• TRANSLATORS

Despite all of the challenges, the benefits of students’ success require that we make an effort to engage family, even if modest to begin with.

REFERENCE

McIntyre E., et.al. (2009). 6 Principles for Teaching English Language Learners in All Classroom. Corein Press: London, United Kingdom.