Hi Patricia! Just follow #ellchat & keep refreshing your browser. Also include the hashtag with your comments so we will see them
If you answer Q1, use A1.
T @ELL_Deb wants her Ss to shift their deficit mindset. What movie clips or other resources show how they might focus on what they CAN do? #ELLchat#KidsDeserveIt
A1 Good evening, colleagues! I started my tweet with A1 to Answer Q1 (the Question 1 that @judiehaynes just asked) I’m Karen Nemeth, co-host of #ELLCHAT and I am an author/consultant focusing on ELLs/DLLs in early childhood - from eastern PA
A1) Hello! I'm Carol Salva. I have taught elementary, middle & high school most recently. I'm a consultant now specializing in #SLIFE. Happy to be here!
#ELLchat
A1: Justin the ELD Coordinator from Chiang Mai here. I do not have any experience with SLIFE students, but I want to take this time to read what others have to say to learn more. #ellchat
During the chat, it’s important to begin every tweet with the A number corresponding to the Q number you are answering - this helps the many people who follow our chat at later times (and on time!) and… don’t for get to add #ELLCHAT
@judiehaynes#ELLChat Hi! I’m Maria and I teach ESOL 7-12 in CT. This is an important topic for me because I want to learn how to best meet the needs of these students in the classroom.
A1) I'm looking in from Edmonton, Alberta, where I teach adult #ELLs, many of whom are refugees who have had little, no, or interrupted formal education. #ellchat
Instead of seeing English language learners as a costly challenge, districts are increasingly recognizing the assets they bring to their schools with dual language programs. #DualLangaugeRockshttps://t.co/63MNBdlC7d
Q2) How does your school district define students with limited or interrupted formal education? Does your district provide special programs for them? #ellchat
A2: No special programs put in place right now to identify #SLIFE but I take it upon myself to find out as much as I can to support our SLIFE Ss and provides the support they need in the classroom
#ellchat
A2 #ellchat We don’t have any formal definition but the state will be providing districts with more guidance and strategies. A committee has just compiled a handbook which is being reviewed by the state.
A2- students are assessed and coded (foreign born/refugee status) programing is created and scheduled per student, as every student has a unique situation #ELLCHAT
A2) The district where I work will define Ss as SLIFEs by parental interviews. If older than 13 and less than 6 years of formal ed., they are sent to my school. Will be placed in 7th grade, therefore the expectation is that Ss have 2 ys to be HS ready. #Ellchat
I'm noticing many districts have either a vague (no formal definition) or specific (2+ years of interrupted education). Is there a flexible in-between? #ellchat
A2) The district where I work will define Ss as SLIFEs by parental interviews. If older than 13 and less than 6 years of formal ed., they are sent to my school. Will be placed in 7th grade, therefore the expectation is that Ss have 2 ys to be HS ready. #Ellchat
A2) Currently, we have just gotten the second wave of SLIFE students ever and pretty much only identify them through gathering transcripts. I wish we had a better method.... #ellchat
A2: My district does not have a specific designation for SLIFE/SIFE Ss within the realm of ELLs. The closest support system would be as "newcomers", but there are differences between SIFE and newcomer Ss. #ellchat
A2) EL students receive ESL instruction and if they qualify they receive RTI services, but there is not a special program for students with limited or formal education.
A2) Ss will be in the newcomer school. 13 year old from Guatemala with 4 years of schooling sitting next to 17 y/old Congolese without schooling. Both placed on 7th grade. #ellchat
A2: My district does not have a specific designation for SLIFE/SIFE Ss within the realm of ELLs. The closest support system would be as "newcomers", but there are differences between SIFE and newcomer Ss. #ellchat
I've never put anyone more than 2 grades back. it isn't allowed in our district and more than 1 is discouraged by the state. The exception is 17 yr olds who are 9th on paper but in the same building as their age. Has there been pushback to this? #ellchat
A3) Resource: DeCapua, A. & Marshall, H. (2011). Breaking new ground: Teaching students with limited or interrupted formal education in U.S. secondary schools. https://t.co/vy5MouefTC /ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1542653054&sr=1-2&keywords=Helaine+Marshall #ellchat
L1 assessments can be such a huge resource if they're available. It's a bit easier for us in Thailand as most of our student population is Thai. We have many other nationalities represented but the numbers are few and far between. #ellchat
A3) Resource: DeCapua, A. & Marshall, H. (2011). Breaking new ground: Teaching students with limited or interrupted formal education in U.S. secondary schools. https://t.co/vy5MouefTC /ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1542653054&sr=1-2&keywords=Helaine+Marshall #ellchat
#ellchat Yes sometimes parents can’t even remember their kids birthdays. Or they will tell you a wrong grade they’ve completed. Very sad situation when parents have had interrupted education themselves.
A3) Resource: Boosting Achievement : Reaching Students with interrupted or minimal education by Carol Salva and Anna Matis https://t.co/nx66hIzAg9#ellchat
A3) I have not yet had a SLIFE student personally. From my reading, I understand Ss can be dealing with a lot of challenges (emotional/psychological) based on living situations that prevented them from attending school. Ss may have a hard time trusting Ts/experience fear #ellchat
A3- we have had an increase in families from Eritrea with no formal schooling, as well as large pockets of students from Somalia, Djibouti, Syria, Ethiopia and Sudan who have had varying education/time spend in refugee camps #ELLCHAT
A3 Our SLIFE are Central Americans, many of whom have been taking care of themselves since a young age, so they struggle understanding why they need to follow school rules they see as arbitrary and ask for permission for simple things #Ellchat
A3) Resource: Boosting Achievement : Reaching Students with interrupted or minimal education by Carol Salva and Anna Matis https://t.co/nx66hIzAg9#ellchat
A3. Biggest challenge is the double duty of having to learn English and content at the same time. Additionally, some have faced tremendous trauma. #ELLChat
A3) I have 1! Grew up in rural Brazil on a ranch. A pickup truck came “sometimes” to pick up the ranch kids for school. Dad didn’t realize son couldn’t read/write until they applied for passports. #ELLCHAT
A3) District I work in identifies as SLIFEs Ss older than 13, but less than 6 ys of school. Reality is that there are students younger that are also Slifes. Besides academics, also have challenges related to school culture. #Ellchat
A3- a big challenge is the adjustment to school. Lots of things are so new and scary that we take for granted. Automatic flushing toilets, fire drills, new routines are all things that take getting used to. Fine motor skill practice and print awareness #ellchat
I was just thinking this. Learning language, content, and battling through possible trauma all while in a brand new country / culture. These kiddos are superhuman. #ellchat
A3 Many of my SLIFE need to get up and walk around the room often, and they struggle with the lack of freedom they often encounter in our typical high school #Ellchat
I am in the same boat...while I haven’t personally encountered this situation yet, I want to be knowledgeable about it for when the time arises. #ELLChat
A3: Congolese, Karen, Eritrean, Central American, Karenni. Ss struggle with food, hygiene, expectations- cultural norms, diversity-language, ethnic, gender ... just to name a few things
A3- are just some of the skills we take for granted that students will arrive with. Most of the students who have interrupted or no schooling are not L1 literate either or are the only speakers in the school #ellchat
A.3 I write a lot about this in The Newcomer Student. SLIFE students may face non-academic challenges including adherance to a schedule, long periods of sitting, prioritization of tasks and the ability to negotiate stimulation. #ellchat#SLIFE
A3) I work with SLIFEs from all around the world. Half of them are from Central America, while others are from anywhere from Congo and Rwanda to Burma, Syria and Nepal, etc.. #Ellchat
A3) Our community has #SLIFE Who are from many different parts of the world. Some grew up in refugee camps, so I will have moved around a lot with their parents. Some are coming from countries that are unsafe. They need to be included. #ELLchat
A.3 I write a lot about this in The Newcomer Student. SLIFE students may face non-academic challenges including adherance to a schedule, long periods of sitting, prioritization of tasks and the ability to negotiate stimulation. #ellchat#SLIFE
A3: Right now I have several SLIFE students. My priority is to make all teachers aware NOT to lower the bar but to consciously employ strategies to support them.
These students for the most part are grateful they’re in school and want to do their very best.
#ellchat
A3) Our #SLIFE & their families tell us they need friends.
The native born Ss created a One World Club that has been amazing for this.
Also, we have @mspatriciasbisd who is our immigrant counselor & awesome! #ELLchat
I see what you’re saying; I might just amend that in my experience, SLIFE DO have critical thinking skills, but not always exactly the kind we ask for in school. #ELLChat
Yes! Individualism versus collectivism and competitive versus cooperative are two very significant cultural constructs our newcomer ELLs must comes to terms with! #NarrativesAndNorms#ellchat
I have SO many students whose LEGAL birthdays are not the same as their ACTUAL birthday because of parents registering their births late. I have a lot of students who can't tell me when their birthdays are! #ellchat
A3) I work with students that cross the border regularly have gaps in their education. These gaps tend to make education seem forced especially when they fall farther behind. #ellchat
A4: Ss are resilient- perseverance, risk-takers, different perspectives - ex: how does it snow in Iowa, there are no mountains? From a Nepali student #ELLChat
A3) Resource: Custodio, B., & O’Loughin, J. (2017). Students with interrupted formal education: Bridging where they are and what they need. https://t.co/9rz42WMcxd#ellchat
A4- They have many hidden talents such as knowing how to bake bread from scratch, how to raise and take care of animals, and how to catch fish to feed their family. #ellchat
A4) SLIFEs bring with them tons of funds of knowledge. They may not have been in school, but they posses survival skills, as well as "street skills". They can do a lot with just a few resources. #Ellchat
A4: Street smart, survival skills. One of my 1st SLIFE students had out-of-this-world recall about current events. Joined HS debate team but could barely read at the time. #ELLChat
A3) Our population is CA boys who completed 6th grade but could not travel to the 2nd level of schooling or pay the uniform/book fee so they stopped their education.2 of the 3 are doing great in math.The third is doing great in language. It seems to depend on background. #ellchat
A4- They have many hidden talents such as knowing how to bake bread from scratch, how to raise and take care of animals, and how to catch fish to feed their family. #ellchat
A4. SIFE/SLIFE Ss can bring diversity and a unique worldview to a classroom/school/district. They have lived in another part of the world and have experiences that can add so much value to the school culture and classroom. #ELLChat
A4- SLIFE students contribute to the academic tapestry in extraordinary ways! They offer unique funds of knowledge that may encompass problem solving skills, critical thinking capabilities, social intelligence- all critical 21st century assets! #ellchat#SLIFE
A4: Every. Single. Experience. They’ve. Had. Is. A. STRENGTH!
Academic can always be learned. Language can always be acquired; but LIFE experiences are unique to each student and we’re to honor them as such. 🌍🙌🏽✨ #CultureMatters.
#ellchat
A3) My ESL classroom has been set in tables for years, but I had to change to rows for behavior management (too many boys). The behavior was fixed immediately. I think the SLIFE students associated rows with school and the tables felt like NOT school. #ellchat
A4: Every. Single. Experience. They’ve. Had. Is. A. STRENGTH!
Academic can always be learned. Language can always be acquired; but LIFE experiences are unique to each student and we’re to honor them as such. 🌍🙌🏽✨ #CultureMatters.
#ellchat
A4: Every. Single. Experience. They’ve. Had. Is. A. STRENGTH!
Academic can always be learned. Language can always be acquired; but LIFE experiences are unique to each student and we’re to honor them as such. 🌍🙌🏽✨ #CultureMatters.
#ellchat
A4) oh so many! Resilient, risk takers, perspectives to share, their L1, willingness to learn, grow and curious about the world around them. A wealth of information to teach others #ellchat
A4: Nothing like all these great responses about your beautiful kiddos to make me all warm and fuzzy inside! I hope these kids know how amazing they are! #ellchat
A4) ALL students can think critically. It's up to the teacher to present the material in a way that challenges them to do so.
Lacking formal education does not mean you can't think critically.
#ELLchat
For years I have been able to graduate 17 yr olds b4 they turn 21. Any older is really hard. We allowed them to "test" out of subjects if Ss said they went to school but didn't have transcripts. Now we are offering credits for transcripts. The oldest I have atm is 16. #ellchat
A4 resource: Keppler, L., Morales, L., Cortada, J., Austin, M. (2015). WIDA Focus On SLIFE: Students with interrupted or limited formal education. Retrieved from https://t.co/gJvUrI6Iau#ellchat
A5) Ts deserve examples of how to differentiate for students who are gaining literacy.
It's also important to train students on how they can accelerate their ability to decode text. #ellchat
A5) I have had to be really, really organized and keep the students busy. Downtime is killer when they have so many distractions (phones, macbooks, etc) I also have to have a lot of tutors to help review materials. #ellchat
A5, part 1- Above all else, we can create an environment that is rooted in routine and predictability, which leads to safety. When students feel safe, they are better equipped to learn. #ellchat#SLIFE
A4: Every. Single. Experience. They’ve. Had. Is. A. STRENGTH!
Academic can always be learned. Language can always be acquired; but LIFE experiences are unique to each student and we’re to honor them as such. 🌍🙌🏽✨ #CultureMatters.
#ellchat
A4 We don’t have “SLIFE” students in preK, but this resource fills in gaps of knowledge about school for families raising young children in a new country - to help whole family get into the groove of U.S. #earlyedhttps://t.co/CVFUhfkRkf#ELLCHAT
A5 I think it’s especially important for teachers of SLIFE to always connect learning to real life, make it concrete and relevant. We also need endless patience. We need to realize that everything will take longer, we need to go slower. And that’s okay. #ellchat
A5, part 2. Other strategies for SLIFE: flexible seating, student led learning (with lots of scaffolds and supports), clear expectations and student-friendly CLOs, cooperative talk strategies, home-to-school journals...and engaging EL parents in meaningful ways! #ellchat
A5: To make Ss feel comfortable Ts need to be nurturing, understand that SLIFE have a lot of different strengths and they need time and support. As teachers, we may provide visuals, use mother language if possible, help to make connections with what they already know. #ellchat
A5- Patience. Flexibility. Get to know your students. Create flexible programing and make sure you teach them about what happens in your school (ex- bathrooms). Smile and be kind and patience. Plan for some down time too! #ellchat
This is so true! We do all our teaching and prep as a group. I save the individual exam until after a LOT of practice to do a final check for understanding. They explain so much better to each other than I could to 13 kids at a time! #ellchat
Sorry, @mspopel. It's tough to get just one but we have shipped hundreds of these to Canada. But, it's available on Kindle.
And my blog has lots of free #BoostingAchievement resources for #SLIFE.
#ELLCHAT
A5: Any strategy employed that would highlight students’ strengths is a must!
Empowering students identifying text they recognize is something I teach them from day one.
Giving them control of their learning empowers them!
#ellchat
A3) Resource: Boosting Achievement : Reaching Students with interrupted or minimal education by Carol Salva and Anna Matis https://t.co/nx66hIzAg9#ellchat
This is at the center of the strategies in the book I co-authored. Teaching to Strengths: Supporting Students Living with Trauma, Vioence & Chronic stress.https://t.co/tWrUaAKWgO#ellchat
A5, part 1- Above all else, we can create an environment that is rooted in routine and predictability, which leads to safety. When students feel safe, they are better equipped to learn. #ellchat#SLIFE
A4: The ethnic diversity of SLIFES by itself is a major strength. These Ss are resilient, have strong ties w/ the family and community which tie into a strong sense of identity, and are eager to learn. #ELLCHAT
A5: And Ts need to be aware of the their own cultural norms and expectations so they can identify and name their own biases. This is often a very important and often overlooked component of teaching newcomers/SLIFE. #ellchat
A2: I can say I’ve seen a formal definition but as per WIDA levels, we differentiate instruction based on Ss needs- we also offer Sheltered instruction courses to frontload subject and academic specific vocab at my HS! Very fortunate
#ELLChat
A5 as you are considering ways to assess SLIFE students, you might like to include questions about home languages, literacy practices, cultural traditions to get to know the student beyond just their academic levels using this Head Start resource https://t.co/J9Q5KAOSRX#ELLCHAT
Absolutely! For some of our students, school may be the safest place they’ve had in a long time. I can tell how much my students need and appreciate a safe, welcoming, calm environment. #ellchat
A5, part 1- Above all else, we can create an environment that is rooted in routine and predictability, which leads to safety. When students feel safe, they are better equipped to learn. #ellchat#SLIFE
