Activity 4.

2 Short
Paper
TED 606 Equity and Diversity
Professor Kristina Lyman
Johnny Segovia
/2014

Students who are learning the English language as a second language are faced
with different obstacles than those who are English first language speakers when
learning in American public schools. Part of our responsibilities as educators in to
recognize these hindrances and assist the students in their education journey however
possible. In this essay I will apply some effective English language learner teaching
strategies taken from The IRIS Center and place them into the context a California
History and Social Science Content Standards for public schools. By giving my
interpretation of how I will use these strategies in my personal teaching in relation to the
California Content Standards a better understanding of English Language Learner
education can be achieved. To begin the discussion, a description of the California
Content Standard that will be referenced is required.
Students in grade eleven study the major turning points in American history in
the twentieth century. Following a review of the nations beginnings and the impact of
the Enlightenment on U.S. democratic ideals, students build upon the tenth grade study
of global industrialization to understand the emergence and impact of new technology
and a corporate economy, including the social and cultural effects. They trace the
change in the ethnic composition of American society; the movement toward equal
rights for racial minorities and women; and the role of the United States as a major
world power (California Department of Education, 2000, p. 47). Standard 11.11 of the
California Content Standards objective is that students analyze the major social
problems and domestic policy issues in contemporary American society (California
Department of Education, 2000, p. 53). Placing this standard learning objective in the

context of English language learner curriculum will enhance the engagement of those
students during this type of lesson.
One strategy I would use to instruct my students is being aware of the needs of
English language learners and identifying their needs in the classroom. The lesson
planning for the content standard takes in account prior knowledge and their ability of
place that knowledge into newly learned content. Often teachers view the academic
areas of opportunity of English language learners as being students in need of special
education services. According to The IRIS Center, students who are struggling
because of a language issue need to receive appropriate language support services
(e.g., ESL, bilingual education), not special education services (The IRIS Center for
Training Enhancements, 2011, p. 2). Not being aware of the needs and challenges
presented to English language learners can have a damaging effect on students. That
is why this strategy will be taken with me when I begin my teaching.
The other strategy I would use as a teacher when instructing my students would
be to differentiate instruction. The IRIS Center states Rather than expect students to
adjust to the curriculum, teachers should adjust their instruction to meet the individual
language and learning needs of their students (The IRIS Center for Training
Enhancements, 2011, p. 9). This strategy is crucial in the comprehension of the
California Content Standard that would be instructed. The instruction of the standard
requires the student to understand many different events and happenings that could
have impacted their culture. This may require the teacher to adjust the curriculum in a
way that is both educational and sensitive to those cultures that may have been
affected.

The use of the strategies that I have ascertained from The IRIS Center will help
me in my teaching career. In this essay I have placed these strategies in the context of
a lesson that is in regards to California Content Standard 11.11. the understanding that
I have achieved during this exercise will have an impact of how I view educating English
language learners.

References
California Department of Education. (2000). HistorySocial Science Content Standards
for California Public Schools. Retrieved from
http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/histsocscistnd.pdf
The IRIS Center for Training Enhancements. (2011). Teaching English Language
Learners: Effective Instructional Practices Retrieved on [month, day, year] from
http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/ell/