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.