Assignment:
1. How does linguistic diversity influence classroom performance?
2. Why is it important for teachers to reflect on cultural and linguistic diversity?
3. Explain the difference between BICS and CALP. Why is it necessary for teachers to understand the distinction between these two types of language proficiency?
4. Say you were to write notes home to a student that is having issues on tardiness and the ability to keep up in class. However, the family never replies to your notes and you have no ideal why. Why might this be proved problematic? What other options might you recommend for communicating with these parents?
5. Mr. Stone, a teacher from a rural community where all the students share similar cultural backgrounds, relocates to a large city where the students come from a wide variety of cultural groups. He notices that many of his students are not performing well in class. Upon self-reflection, he realizes that because of cultural differences these students may not relate to his style of teaching or to the stories and examples he uses in class. What can Mr. Stone do to become more culturally responsive and meet the diverse needs of these students?
6. Describe in detail three instructional strategies that can be used to support the ELL student that is tardy and is having problems in the classroom. Be specific and be sure to include three strategies and your rationale for identifying these specific strategies.