Iredell-Statesville Schools School & Family Magazine May 2018 | Page 6

When visiting Nalee Vang’s
class at Scotts Elementary
School, it immediately becomes
evident that the dynamics in
this ESL (English as a Second
Language) classroom are just
a little different from those in
a general education class. As
an ESL teacher, Mrs. Vang’s
challenge is to prepare students
who are not native English
language speakers for their
core classes. Working with her
students on a science unit, Mrs.
Vang quickly moved from writing
exercises on soil, roots, leaves
and flowers into “illustrating” the lesson through song and movement. As an A+ Arts Integrated School,
Scotts Elementary teachers continuously weave the arts into every aspect of a child’s learning.
ESL –
A Cultural Bridge
ESL teachers work with students whose primary language is not English. These teachers work with
students to help them acquire fluency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing English. Unlike foreign
language teachers, who educate students with whom they share a common language, ESL teachers most
often educate students with whom they do not share a common language. Because of this, ESL teachers
are trained to offer explanations using repetition, demonstrations, and pictures. Because children at all
learning levels come to Mrs. Vang’s class at the same time, one challenge is to keep all students engaged,
even at their staggered achievement levels.
On this day, first grade students Tania, Kailee, Keith and Jeremias are enthusiastically chiming in on
the conversation. “Plants are special,” said Tania. “They have stems, roots, leaves and flowers.” “My
grandmother has a big garden,” said Keith. As Mrs. Vang expertly guides these students through the
lesson, serving each child at his or her academic level, activities must change quickly as one student
finishes up the written lesson, another is ready to illustrate what they have learned, and yet another is
completing their written sentences. Each student is provided with the time and support they need so they
can be successful.
ESL teachers also serve as a cultural bridge for students, linking a student’s native culture with their new
cultural experience in the United States. Mrs. Nalee Vang’s enthusiasm with and for her students serves
as a reminder that we are not so very different, no matter where we are from or what language we speak.
Education will continue to level the playing field and help children to be successful.
4 Iredell-Statesville School & Family