This creative synthesis project and the NLGL program have pushed me to think outside the box! My toolbox of instructional practices and activities has been widened!
As an educator, I am now more aware of my instructional and material selections. I think twice before quickly picking a text/book or a digital tool; I now genuinely consider my students and our task. Since my time is limited (often less than 30 minutes) with each group, I desire to make the most of it by implementing effective practices that will engage students. I will attempt to select activities or strategies that activate background knowledge, highlight vocabulary, utilize technology, and allow for multimodal learning.
As a “support staff” I try to ensure the content I teach in my ESL classroom connects with the content students are learning in their general education classroom so that they are given multiple exposures to the content and allowed numerous opportunities to practice. I was able to frame many of the activities and course work from the NLGL program with this pedagogy in mind.
Conclusions
