Is the ESL program offered at schools working as it should? (Essay Sample)

Name Course Tutor Date ESL Program Introduction It is undoubted truth that, English, as one of fastest growing language, has great influence across the globe. In countries where English is the native language, non-native English students are posed by enormous challenges. For this reason, English language teaching has tremendously evolved over the last few decades. English as a second language (ESL) is a program that has been incorporated in the curriculum to offer academic support to non-native English students (Shastri 6). It is apparent that the majority of the English language learners (ELL) are happy that they are getting education from foreign academic institutions, but it the program has stemmed myriads of questions. For instance, should ESL programs be offered as one standard class or split up dependent upon the learner’s first language? This question has attracted divided opinions from many scholars. However, for reasons that are expounded in this discussion, I hold the view that ESL programs should be split up and be offered depending on the student’s 1st language. Further, the discussion suggests ways through which students and teachers can communicate, albeit they do not speak the same language. Finally, the paper examines how student’s culture affects their education. Discussion ESL programs should be split up and be offered depending on the student’s first language As afore-noted, I strongly allude that ESL programs should be split up and be offered depending on the student’s first language. It is undisputable that the majority of the English language learners are from foreign countries. Thus, because of the different cultures, religions, and history, ELL students face an array of dissimilarities. Consequently, an ESL teacher finds it very challenging to understand these profound differences. In my view, it is easy to teach ESL programs to students who speak the same first language. Moreover, it will simplify the instructors’ workload since they will not have to teach concepts that will reflect diverse backgrounds. Simons and Mark Connelly (2008) emphasize that to be successful in teaching foreign students, ESL teachers need to understand the cultural background of the ELL students (Simons and Mark 23). Equally, tutors would find it easy to specialize in one or two cultural and religious backgrounds. In overall, offering ESL programs to students from the same background is a very effective method. Ways in which an ESL teacher who speaks English only can communicate with students from abroad An ESL teacher who speaks English only can communicate with students from abroad through several effective ways. First, the instructor can leverage the visual support technique of teaching. Although communication in the classroom is predominantly verbal, providing visual aids to deliver education content is important. For example, providing written instructions in form of a summary, either in a handout or on the board, is an effective way of teaching ELL students from foreign countries (Simons and Mark 27). Besides, ELL students have a difficult time processing spoken language and thus challenging concepts should be supported with visual aids. Secondly, lectures can be supplemented with video presentations. Markedly, this method does not only benefit ELL students but also mainstream learners. Thirdly, ESL teachers can communicate effectively with English learning apprentices by understanding their backgrounds. By thinking of cultural and linguistic differences as learning opportunities, teachers can create a welcoming environment where learners will not worry about committing errors as they develop their competency in English (Alonso 11). ELL scholars feel valued and respected when their teacher pronounce their names correctly. Additionally, it is advisable that ESL teachers encourage group work among the ELL and mainstream students (Alonso 16). Pupils learn more when they are engaged. This is because they practice the English language with their colleagues in a more private setting. Mainstream students can help the novice learners improve their English skills. Lastly, ESL teachers can enquire from the regular classroom teachers about what they learned in the classroom. This is an a convincing way to academically support the ELL students- if the regular teacher taught a unit in health care, the ESL teacher can use some of the same terminologies in the ESL class. Ideally, this tactic can be systemized: ESL instructors could get copies of lesson plan from the regular teachers. How student's culture affects their education Student’s culture impacts their education in countless ways. For instance, teachers who lack the background knowledge about a certain culture might wrongly interpret the behavior of a child. Several cases of an educator inaccurately judging students as disrespectful have been reported. Such pupils find themselves reprimanded by the instructor. Noteworthy, these acts have a negative impact on the student...