The challenge and opportunity facing urban educators in particular, and society in general, is interwoven with the destiny of increasing numbers of students struggling to learn English while mastering academic content. A seminal issue for our age, this challenge speaks to both individual and social transformation--integration without rejection on both interpersonal and intrapersonal levels. Known as the Duversity, this opportunity is to face and conquer our inner fears and obstacles to empowerment, through inner integration without rejection, and to follow the same path outwardly, transforming social institutions in order to integrate and empower biliterate Americans who have learned to read their worlds, as well as the word.
We are a nation of immigrants. Currently the largest and fastest growing segment of new Americans are those from Hispanic backgrounds. Our city schools, both locally and nationally, now average over 50% Hispanic/Latino. My high school, Panorama High School, is nearly 90% Hispanic/Latino. The ethnic make-up of the teaching profession is hardly one-tenth of that (5% Hispanic). Consider the implications of this, and use these links to prepare yourself to make an impact, especially via sites 1, 2 and 3!
*1*English Language Learners in Mainstream Classrooms - Sheltered Instruction: A major concept for working with English Language Learners and communicating with their parents. Use this with the next site that will allow any teacher or learner to get an instant Spanish translation of any text, up to four pages at a time, or web site! Texts, or portions of texts, can be scanned and translated, tests, etc.
*1*FreeTranslation.com -- Free translation of web sites and text for Spanish, French, and German to English and English to Spanish! AMAZING!!
*1*LEARNING STRATEGIES** -- An important part of effective biliteracy and sheltered instruction strategies
*1*COOPERATIVE and COLLABORATIVE LEARNING -- Effective with all subjects and levels, team learning is a particularly strong supporting strategy in working with English Language learners.
