Frequently Asked Questions for Teachers

1) What is the ability to plan and implement canter-based child development programs?
2) What are some skills in program administration?
3) Skills in effective oral and written communications?
4) Ability to train and supervise staff?
5) Ability to implement policies and develop operational procedures in accordance with regulatory guidance?

98. We had a young Hispanic man to register at one of the local high schools this week: 17 years old, dropped out of school in 3rd grade. (This is our worst case scenario so far) What do we do with such a student? How do we help him? He doesn't have to enroll in school because he is over 16, but if he chooses to enroll, we have to accept him even though it is clear that his sole objective is to learn enough English to get a job. In that same high school there are several 17 yr. old girls who dropped out of school in 6th grade. None of these know a word of English. It is becoming quite a problem and one that, as you know, is not being met by our current educational system (at least here in NC that's true). We have always had students entering high school that we knew would never learn enough English to succeed academically before their time "ran out". Since 1994, I have advocated a vocational track for these students in order that they learn English and also a trade of their choosing: carpentry, brick masonry, secretarial skills, nursing assistant, etc.
When I learned about a new diploma that would allow this, I was delighted that our students would finally have a chance. Of course, our administrators were quick to inform me that this particular diploma was for EC students. Certainly I do not want our students to be labeled EC (or anything that they are not), but we are not meeting the needs of many of our LEP students.
Here the community college is doing all it can to help us, but they cannot take a student who is under 18 unless he has been enrolled in school and has permission to transfer into their program.
Carmen, you know how much I care about these students, but sometimes I feel so helpless. I will always be their advocate, but I am not getting very far.
The people who need to know about these concerns are out of my boundaries. I have emailed Jerry and Jane at DPI (Department of Public Instruction) about my concerns and I will write some letters to congressmen/women. BUT I need help now.
Teachers are coming to me asking me all kinds of questions that I can't answer.
Any suggestions that you might offer will be very much appreciated.

102. I teach kindergarten in a school that is about 80% Afro-American, 5% Caucasian and 10% Hispanic. We are a Title 1 school, in that almost all of the students are on Free Lunch. My years of teaching have shown me the important effect that instruction using music has on the learning of five-year-olds. It occurs to me to try to find songs that are in both English and Spanish to help convey meaning. I've gone through many web searches, and have exhausted the "Spanish/English children's music" category on amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and sheetmusic plus.com. Can you help me find more resources, or tell me who could help? I play the piano/keyboard, and can also lead songs without accompaniment.

104. Do you recommend a foreign language class to equip teachers with base knowledge of the primary language of ESL students in the classroom? At what level do you recommend starting (i.e., conversation, formal) and why?

106. I missed your March 2 workshop on ESL in Little Rock, Arkansas, but I do have a couple of questions. I may not have not found the info, but is it one of the goals of ESL to get the student to the point where they can function in an English speaking society?

113. Is it appropriate for the ESL student to be enrolled in a Spanish class? Could they not help English speaking students with their conversational Spanish? Couldn't this possibly help with student relationships?

114. In Van Buren as in Dardanelle, Arkansas, our Hispanic population is growing quickly. I have a boy who came to us from the mountains of Mexico during the middle of last year. Even those who can speak Spanish have trouble understanding him because he is from an Indian tribe of some sort. We know that he has not been in school since 2nd grade. When he came to enroll, he was placed in 5th grade based on his age. We retained him in 5th grade this year, but I am very concerned that there may be more than a language barrier problem. He is a very small guy who is comparable in size to a 2nd or 3rd grader. He works with our ESL aide for 30 minutes every day. He also works with our Migrant aide for 30 min/daily. He has been working on an English program in the Computer Lab, too. Still, after 10 months, he speaks just a few English words. He can add, but that is it for his Math skills. According to our Special Education supervisor, we are not to test/refer any Hispanic children until they have been in our District for 3 years. I worry that in 2 more years, he will be so far behind that he will not get much of any education at all. What would you suggest? Please help me! Is there any regulation/law that says I cannot refer him for 3 years????

115. What is the difference between teaching ESL at a middle school vs. a junior high. My friend teaches at a middle school and there is a job opportunity at the junior high for ESL and I was wondering if she would be able to help me out since it would be my first year as an ESL teacher. Would I be able to use some of her material or would it be too adolescent for 7th and 8th grade students?

118. I have been teaching K-2 for the last four years. I have a BS in Early Childhood Education / Special Education and an MA in Guidance and Counseling. I would like to become an educational evaluator. Where do I start? Are there doctoral programs? Masters Programs? I work for the New York City Board of Education, District 10.

122. I am enrolled in the Arkansas Non-Traditional Licensure Program, where you spoke on March 2, 2002. I regret having to miss your presentation, but the weather was too bad to attempt my 3-hour commute to Little Rock. I teach Chemistry and Biology at a High School. We have no Hispanic population at this time. How does ESL affect me now and are there any steps I need to take now to prepare for ESL in the future? Is there a big demand for more ESL programs and teachers in areas with a high Hispanic population? Why are teachers expected to meet the same standards, such as reading, with students that are very English limited, when there are not enough people to first teach the language to them? I am referring to a particular person who teaches Kindergarten in a high Hispanic populated city. Most of her students are ESL and are doing the best they can to learn the language with their VERY limited time with the ESL teachers. However, the school and the state expect this teacher to have the kids reading by the end of the year. What are your suggestions for this situation?

127. How can I assess that a student really does have a language barrier and isn't just using the system? What do I do with a Hispanic student who refuses to use the help provided because they want an easier grade? How do I address a male Hispanic student who will speak in his native tongue whenever a female student walks past him in class? I don't know if what he is saying is rude or not but feel that it probably is.

128. I