Math post week 7

This week a topic was brought forth that really shook me awake. It was brought to my attention that there is a very high possibility, especially in the 'global village' we live in today, that there is a high probability that there will be students in my classroom in the future (God willing) that do not have English as their first language. This is actually something I have experienced myself as a child arriving in Canada from Hungary. However, I was so young that I have trouble remembering what it was like to be a student with a language barrier, or how my teachers dealt with the situation. I really hope that I will be able accommodate such students and make them feel, not only comfortable, but excited about coming to class and learning. A few strategies that were discussed in class included: giving extra time to students to process information, and finding other students that come from a similar background that would be okay with being 'study buddies'. Another good strategy what was brought to my attention was to use as many visual aids as possible, that way the students have images that they can connect to the words. There are a lot of other strategies that can be implemented by educators to help students whose first language isn't English, some of which can be found in the link here.

Not only will language be a barrier, but, culture can be too. That it why must, to the best of my abilities ensure that I can relate topics that are discussed in class to things that they have experienced or, at the very least, are experiencing in order for them to better understand and feel included. This will have to involve me showing an interest in the well being of the students, as well as making sure that the students are aware that the door to communicate is always open. If students are shy and/or timid then that is fine. There is still a possibility that, through research via the internet or the students' parents, there can still be enough information collected to help the students feel more 'at home' and comfortable.

Another thing I am really grateful for from having gone through this reality-check is that it also forced me to do some internal reflection and ask myself: what else is there that I am currently oblivious to, and need to make myself more aware of?