Beyond Methodology

There is much variability with regard to the type depth and effectiveness oftraining teachers receive in understanding and meeting the needs of Englishlanguage learners (ELLs) in public schools across the country yet the rise in thenumber of learners has been substantial. Although it is important that teachershave knowledge and skills related to instructional methods and approaches forteaching ESL they may also be confronted with policies that disadvantage ELLssuch as compulsory standardized testing and unrealistic curriculum demands.They may also lack appropriate resources and be faced with learners who havelearning disabilities and behavioral issues associated with culture shock.The book is designed to present classroom-oriented topics that are fundamental to the professional developmentof pre-service novice and veteran teachers working with ELLs. Such topics include issues surrounding initialorientation and student placement; the acculturation process for ELLs and particular concerns of refugeestudents; challenges involved in making accommodations and curricular modifications as well as determining ifELLs have special needs; social and emotional difficulties affecting ELL performance and communicating withparents; and bullying behaviors learner advocacy and transitioning. The book may be used as a supplement to acourse textbook on second language acquisition and teaching or as the mainfocus of a course to which other material is added.The short case studies provide an opportunity for teachers to engage indialogue and wrestle with issues and dilemmas that pertain to ELLs in reallifeschool settings. They provide a stimulus that help teachers explore theirunderlying assumptions about the languages cultures and experiences thattheir ELLs bring to the school community. Acknowledging learners'strengths and aspirations prepares all students for success in our globalsociety.