English Language Learners

English Language Learners

It is quite in order to highlight that the nature of environment in which a person interacts helps a lot in shaping that person. The environment in which we interact defines several things in our lives. It can define our character, the way we socialize with other people as well as the way we reason ( Philips, 2011). The nature of environment may be viewed in terms of the background in which one comes. This may cover such things as the cultural diversity, economic, political as well as the educational environments. In terms of the educational environment, we may take the case of a class of students from various backgrounds. Such students may have several differences owing to the nature of their backgrounds. When it comes the issue of language literacy, there may be distinct and clear cut differences in which such students grasp a language (Delpit, 2002). Language literacy in such situations involving students from foreign countries is always a challenge due to several factors. One of these factors may include the influence of their mother tongue. Mother tongue influence may affect the way a student grasps and internalizes a foreign language. This has been the case experienced by most students from other countries who pursue their studies in the United States of America in their early days (Delpit, 2002). This is clearly depicted in the video as the presenters discuss some of the challenges faced by such students.

It is an indisputable fact that students or children who have the experience of people surrounding them doing literary works like reading, writing or narrating concepts will have the upper hand of conceptualizing such things when they attend schools (Delpit, 2002). This is because, the environment in which they interact is that which promotes learning. As such, those children will have a better opportunity to expose themselves to such academic things. This is always evident in those children who come from socially affluent families as opposed to those who come from poor families. This follows that children who come from poor families always have negligible experiences of people who study frequently following the nature of their background. As such, the environment create also acts to shape the child in a manner that his mind tries to conform to what the environment dictates. As such, those children always lag behind when it comes to things academic. Parental education always determines the frequency as well as the types of reading and writing that students do ( Philips, 2011). Poor parental backgrounds can affect language literacy skills of children in their early days. This may continue impacting upon them even at later stages. This is seen in the manner in which the EELs find challenges in language literacy in the US. Such students always have some difficulties in expressing an opinion about several texts. Other challenges to the EELs may include fear to participate and interact with the mainstream students following the nature of their previous or early environmental backgrounds.

Feelings

It feels bad when the environment in which a person interacts can act to bring negative influences towards the overall well being of that person. People are always meant for the best in life, no matter the environments they interact.

Thoughts

The environments in which we interact should always work by shaping us in the most appropriate manner. The environment should always equip us with the necessary skills that we can employ to cope with each other, different situations as well as interpersonal skills. As such, our environments should not hider the way we relate with each other, following that it is through such relations that we find ways of expressing ourselves to the world. Therefore, our backgrounds and social status should not dictate the worst towards our personal mental, psychological and literal developments

Deconstruction

Initially I assumed that the environment in which we interact should favor us in a number of things. however, this is not the case. Several people have faced several challenges following the nature of their previous backgrounds ( Philips, 2011). This is even worse if such can hinder language development, socialization and overall well being of a person as depicted by the EELs in their quest for language literacy. According to me, my socializations have helped shape me in the most positive manner. I am able to express myself succinctly well without any fear. It has also aided me to learn a lot from the environment in which I interact and come up with adaptive strategies to challenges. This ha helped me a lot in succeeding in college studies.

Reframing and Taking Action

It is always true that the challenges we face in life becomes the major breakthroughs if well conceptualized. The challenges presented by the environments should provide further opportunities in life. The possibilities that may arise from this situation involves employment of further research activities. This will aid in exploring the better ways to cope with each challenge as well as turn any challenge to an opportunity. Such experiences always help shape people as well as enlighten them on how to deal with different situations.

References

Delpit, L.(2002). “As Soon as She Opened her mouth”: Issues of Language, Literacy, and Power. Victoria Purcell Gates.pdf.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2ap4Q5uxGE&feature=youtu.be

Phillips, D. (2011). The German example: English interest in educational provision in Germany since 1800. London [u.a.: Continuum.