ELL Myths and Realities (Noseworthy, Fewer-Bennett, & Howlett)

Learning a second language is an entirely different proposition from learning one’s native language.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Learning the linguistic structures and rules of a second language occurs in much the same way as the first language developed; however, learning a second language takes time and requires support.

Teachers should discourage students from speaking their home language as this will hinder their English language development.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Using their home language facilitates cognitive and academic growth.  Speaking their home language with their parents is important and should be respected and encouraged. Bilingualism is an asset to the individual and the community and should be encouraged.

Younger children are more effective language learners than older learners.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

While younger language learners may learn to pronounce a new language with little or no accent, older language learners are often much more efficient learners.  Language expectations for younger learners are generally lower than for older students.  School language is more complex and less contextualized at higher grades, making language acquisition challenging.

Once students can speak with reasonable fluency, they can quickly pick up the academic work.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Social language, called BICS (Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills), is generally acquired within 2 years of immersion; however, CALPS (Cognitive Academic

Language Proficiency Skills) take many years to develop.

If the ENL teacher could take the student more often and just focus on teaching the English language to ELL students, learning in all areas would occur faster.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Language is a developmental process and it takes time; consistent, cognitive development in all subject areas is as important as hours of ENL instruction. Students can learn language and content simultaneously; classroom teachers providing comprehensible input is important to academic success and to language learning.  The ENL teacher can provide an opportunity for the student to be immersed in language at the appropriate level and can help students develop language skills and language learning strategies efficiently.

Students from some countries are better language learners than students from other countries.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Students from all language and cultural backgrounds are equally capable of learning English; neither success in language learning nor academic success can be attributed to the student’s country of origin, but rather to a variety of social, emotional and cognitive factors, as well as first language literacy.

Until students learn English, there is no point in trying to teach them content area subjects.

• true

• false

Answer explanation

ELL students need to continue their content education.  It is possible and desirable to teach ELL students various subject matter while they are acquiring English.  One of the recognized ways to learn a language is to be taught content in the target language by teachers who use good teaching strategies.

Learners need a strong grasp of oral English before they are exposed to print.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

ELL learners should be exposed to a rich print environment from early on in their

English learning.  Students who are literate in their first language can use reading and writing as a means of learning English. Students who are not literate in their first language need oral language development along with reading and writing readiness skills.