Inquiry Topic #3

Just to review, I am looking to answer the following questions this semester:

• What are some factors that influence ELL literacy development?
• How is English language literacy challenging for ELL students?

Today I'm looking at sociocultural factors. L. Helman says, "Teachers who wish to support the literacy development of their English-learning students cannot ignore the role of sociocultural aspects of teaching and learning, such as the extent to which students' backgrounds are valued in the classroom" (7). She also notes that ELL students are bringing different mores and values, shared languages, and interpersonal interactions to the classroom. Both teachers and students bring expectations into the classroom, and Helman believes the majority of elementary school teachers are female, white, and have a middle-class background. It can be hard for them to see that they are not embracing other cultures in the classroom.

Students' different backgrounds should be seen as "funds of knowledge". When teachers work to utilize students' multi-cultural background experiences, languages, heritages, etc, the students feel more empowered to learn. There are three attitudes that will influence what occurs in the classroom: the social atmosphere of the classroom, the attitude of the school or school system, and the ideologies of language, culture, and politics. While teachers may not have much control over the latter two, he or she does impact the atmosphere of the classroom. It is up to the teacher to establish an open learning environment in which different views are encouraged and sought out. As a Spanish teacher, I frequently teach vocabulary sections, and I try to engage our many Korean exchange students by asking them how to say one of our new words in Spanish. One of the middle school math teachers does something similar by asking her Korean students if they know a different method of completing a math problem. She then has the Korean student show the whole class and openly compliments them. This creates an atmosphere of interest and admiration for other ways of doing things. Empowering our ELL students to show off their backgrounds, communication, and languages will encourage them in their English literacy.

Source: Helman, L. (Ed.). (2009). Literacy development with English learners: Research-based instruction in grades K-6. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.