Language

After teaching young language learners for more than 12 years, a potent truth I have observed is that language learning comes from within.

It comes from personal interests, desires and needs.

From the first day of school, I want children to show me (in many ways) what language, words, concepts, topics they are interested in (and how they are intersted in learning).  Throughout the year I need to listen, go with the flow, be flexible, and negotiate emergent curriculum and then they will thrive. They will eat it up. They will ask for words. Point. Gesture. Share and learn the language that they want and need. This is the key factor to developing strong trusting relationship and motivating young language learners... 

If we as teachers don't listen, have too many agendas and plans prior to getting to know our students -- awesome, amazing, authentic language learning will not happen. Truth.

Below are some of my amazing language learners. They show me humor and make me (and others) laugh, they show me creativity and beauty through arts and writing and they share a sense of adventure to learn. Every. Single. Day.

A desire to communicate with me and their peers about all the amazings things going on in their  minds.  All the while, developing their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.

I only hope I listen close enough.











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