Reflection
My interview with Mrs. Corona was rather
interesting because some of her responses related to theories I have learned
this semester, some others, not so much.
One thing that really stuck out to me was that Mrs. Corona thought that
her students learn better without intention.
I also thought this prior to reading the textbook, which Ortega states, “Yes,
incidental learning, or learning without intention, is possible in L2 learning.
The best-known example is the incidental learning of L2 vocabulary while
reading for pleasure. However, people learn faster, more and better when they
learn deliberately or with intention (Ortega, 2012, p. 207).” I really admire that Mrs. Corona tries to
help her students with anxiety because this does directly correlate to grades,
proficiency performances, and learning.
According to Ortega, “Foreign language anxiety is a measurable, L2
specific affective variable that is associated with a number of symptoms,
including lower grades, lower proficiency performances, difficulty with
processing and learning new L2 material, reticence and L2 risk-avoiding
behaviours. Its roots can be found in overall low self-concept regarding general
academic abilities and in unrealistic beliefs about language learning (Ortega,
2012, p. 213).” I also agree with Mrs. Corona that students first must
understand the importance of why they are learning their L2 language. Once they see the purpose and see how useful
their L2 language will be to them, motivation would also increase.
Mrs. Corona encourages her student’s by
trying to use their peers as their biggest motivators. All in all, she believes that at the age of
five, their biggest motivation is to be able to have fun. Because that is the case, she tries to use it
to her biggest advantage and surround her lesson plans around that. In order to be beneficial and provide the
best learning experience for my students, I plan on getting my bilingual
certification before I have my own classroom.
Hello Emerald! It is great that she received her ESL certificate so that she could better instruct her students. I've wondered how Kindergarten teachers support ELLs in their classroom, and she did an excellent job explaining how she used integrativeness and social support to aide students in acquiring the language. According to Ortega (2006), ‘integrativeness is an genuine interest in learning the second language in order to come closer to the other language community" (pg. 174) She stated that student motivation such as wanting friends and wanting to be included, helps in their willingness to learn the language. I like how she used social support such as positive rewards for correct answers. I believe she is setting a great foundation to form student confidence and multiple opportunities for students to express themselves.
ReplyDeleteLaregilon, definitely! I think Mrs. Corona's approach to keeping her students interested and motivated to keep trying is a great first step! I think it is extremely important to use something that gets the kids interested to your advantage! Hopefully this factor helps strengthen their language development throughout the school year!
DeleteHey there Emerald, I really enjoyed watching your video and getting to know a little more bit about Ms. Corona experience. I thought all the questions you asked were insightful, and it was quite interesting that Ms. Corona mentions the fact that it's rare to not have at least one ESL student. I would agree with you that it’s noteworthy that Ms. Corona believes her students learn better without intention since Ortega states that although it’s possible students without intention, but are able to learn better with it (Ortega, 2013, p. 94). Regarding the three attentional conditions such as incidental, implicit, and explicit which one would you consider to be the most beneficial for students? Since Ms. Corona students are all so young their motivation completely differ and Kaboody discusses that “Motivation plays a significant role in the rate and success of second and foreign language learning in general and in classroom language learning in particular,” (Kaboody 2013, p. 45). The strategy she implements of explaining the importance of learning their second language increase her student's motivation which is quite difficult since her students are still learning their first language. Thank you for sharing this interview with us.
ReplyDeleteDalis, I think that is an interesting question! I think at the age of the students in Mrs. Corona's class, incidental learning is the most beneficial for students. I think this is because students are learning their L2 language at the same time that they are focusing on other things. For example, students are learning English as they practice their sight words in class, talking to friends, during writer's workshop, and in many other occasions during the day!
ReplyDelete
DeleteThanks, Emerald for the reply! Well, I would have to completely agree with you that incidental learning would have to be the best approach for a student in this current age group. Those meaningful social interactions, and learning experience you previously mentioned create the foundation for later introducing more implicit, and explicit attentional conditions approach.
Hey Emerald,
ReplyDeleteIt was really beneficial to hear from Ms. Corona's perspective of working with ELL who experience anxiety. According to Ortega, some individuals have intense feelings of tension or fear towards learning a foreign language (2013, p. 200) I know anxiety is something all students face, but I want to more prepared on helping my ELL students who face this barrier in their learning. To help those students I believe its best to ensure your students with an integrative classroom. Kaboody (2013) says that students are more motivated to practice and acquire a new language when they are integrated into a positive classroom. Ms. Corona's students are motivated by fun activities, so she implements engaging and entertaining lessons that get her ELL students involved. Are their any activities/lessons that Ms. Corona has shared that you would be interested in using in your classroom?