English Language Learners

It’s is obvious that there are many complex literacies that students need to navigate through in their daily lives. Additionally, English language learners deal with an even more challenging and complex array of literacies. This is also obvious, not only do these students have to learn a second language they also have to deal with the literacy challenges of their native language; in which they may or may not be proficient in. Ideally, English language learners become proficient in both their native/home language and their second language; however, this is not always the case.

In “Becoming Literate in a Second Language: Connecting Home, Community, and School Literacy Practices” by Mari Haneda, the problems with the school system regarding the education of English language learners is discussed. For instance, a Chinese English language learner was placed lower track classes in which he was only learning basic reading and writing skills, however, he was practicing complex literacies through the internet by creating his own website. Through the website he was engaged in multiple and complex literacy practices with people all over the world. The issue is that the educational system had labeled him and tracked him, keeping him from the opportunity to practice critical literacy – which he decided to get elsewhere.

There are many problems with the current educational system, particularly the practice of tracking students, tracking can have and has had deleterious effects on English language learners. As a future educator, it is important to remember that all students can learn and are capable of practicing complex literacies. Furthermore, bringing in their native literacies and culture into the classroom is a valuable teaching tool for all students.