Adriana Zayas

English 111.353
Mrs. Brittany Cowan
October 24th, 2014
The Power of an English Second Language Teacher on an English Language Learner:
Transitioning to a new school environment can have a significant impact to any student
who is transitioning a grade level, as well transitioning from their homeland to the United Sates.
Due to the increasing amounts of English language learners in the average classrooms, the
education association (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) TESOL has set
three main goals for the English language learners. According to Integrating ESL students in a
classroom the first main goal of the TESOL association would be the fact that The first few
first days of integration are crucial to the English learners eventual success in a classroom. It is
also important for mainstream teachers to answer questions and ally fears that allow students to
feel accepted; it is also a goal to make English language learners feel comfortable in a new
learning environment, regardless of the language proficiency level. These goals are many of the
different factors that contribute to the influence the mainstream teachers, as well as English
Second Language have of English language learners. It is vital to recognize that mainstream
teachers have the power to make or break an English language learner. (Anjali Parekh: ESL
Teacher)
The transition of an English language learner can phase different levels of difficulty;
these levels can be accomplished by using a variety of communication as well as grammatical

strategies. It is vital to realize that Students dont stop learning because suddenly theyre thrust
into an environment where they have to do it in English. Their brains are still learning; theres
just kind of a filter there because the language makes it more difficult. (Integrating ESL
students into a classroom) It is due to this filter that mainstream teachers, as well as English
second language teachers come into the picture and contribute with the English language
learners transition into a United States educational system.
It is vital for an English second language teacher to make sure that the student has a seat
like others and that the student is properly introduced to the rest of the students in order to
facilitate the first day transition of the English language learner. According to the ESL
coordinator Deborah Dickenson mainstream teachers and teachers of English as a second
language should use multiple modalities like modeling, gestures, demonstrating, hands on,
writing things down, every kind of scaffold that its possible for a student to hold onto the actual
language. (Integrating ESL students into a classroom) These and my many other strategies will
allow the English learner to gain confidence within them and facilitate the transition into the
English language.
Throughout the primary stages of the transition into the English language, ESL teachers
mainly focus on communication based instruction. This unique strategy places less emphasis on
error correction and more emphasis on providing feedback that encourages communication. A
great example of this strategy would like working with one-on-one interactions with other
students as well as with the teacher; working in small groups can also be beneficial for a English
language learner. Anjali Parekh states that having an active role in a small group activity is
extremely important for an English language learner because its sometimes too intimidating for
them to raise their hand in a large group setting. (Intergrading ESL students into a classroom)

The participation in groups will allow the English language learner not to only feel welcome and
accepted but will also raise their self-esteem due to the connection that they would be making
regardless of their language proficiency. Even if it is the smallest task like being the person who
writes things down, or scores points in a sort of game, this involvement will allow the student to
be a real part of the classroom. English language learners are highly motivated by their second
language teacher through communication and grammar strategies that do eventually built the
needed potential to reach proficiency in the English language.
Many of the people who collaborate within the of Teachers English to Speakers of Other
Languages Association like Deborah Dickenson believe that It isnt so much a particular
strategy, its a willingness to see the students as individuals and human beings and wonder ways
that the particular student could be helped (Intergrading ESL students into a classroom).
TESOL teacher are essential not only to the program but also to any particular student who is in
need to transition to the English environment. It is up to mainstream teachers as well as TESOL
teachers to do research on each one of their students academic backgrounds as well as their
nationality in order to have a better understanding of their language and culture in order to know
how to help the student learn using these facts and possible interest that they may have. Teachers
English to Speakers of Other Languages are a fundamental to every transition of each student
that is introduced into the English educational system.

Work Cited
Integrating ESL Students into a classroom Films on Demand. Films Media
Group,2007.Web. 22 Oct.2014