SIOP 8 Components and 30 Features

Before the SIOP reading, I really didn’t know how I would help future students who are English language learners. I appreciated this reading because it gave an in-depth explanation as to how teachers can help English learners succeed. The article suggests building off of prior knowledge so students can draw connections between their first language and English. Consistency and familiarity is key. Building on a student’s background makes sense to me. We know as teachers we’ll have students from different walks of life in our classrooms. I can understand how developing a foundation based off of what students already know and their experiences would help when instructing English language learners because it’s something familiar.

I also appreciated that the article talked about academic vocabulary. There are many words that are only spoken and understood in a school setting. Understanding those words is essential for academic success. While this idea now seems obvious to me, I hadn’t before thought about how school jargon could be confusing for someone learning the language. The article suggests introducing and defining vocabulary simply can help students understand the material. I thought the idea of allowing them to choose their own vocabulary words they deem important was a great teaching tactic. Not only will this empower a student, but hopefully by having control over their learning and education, they’ll be more invested and interested in what is being taught.

The reading suggests teachers should avoid idioms and jargon. There is a student in one of my classes whose first language was Spanish. The professor who teaches the class is very sarcastic and jokes around a lot. There have been times where the student raises his hand to ask her to explain something she said because he doesn’t pick up on her sarcasm. I understand how breaking the rules of the English language could confuse someone who is just learning them. Teachers of English language learners can encourage more and better responses by asking open-ended questions. It makes sense to give students as many opportunities as possible to practice English in a place where it’s understood they’re learning.