This chapter is focused on the strategy of BICS, or Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills. BICS focuses on the basic conversational skills all L2 students should acquire prior to moving into the academic vocabulary (CALP) strategy. Vygotsky believed that speaking, listening, writing, and reading are all a part of communication, and through the use of these areas, the students build their basic communication. "Listening and speaking are integral to communicative competence-knowing what to say, to whom, and how to shape that discourse in the most effective way" (LDR, 146). I have found with my ELL students that they have a hard time figuring out what to say and when to say it. Obviously this can be challenging for all young children, however if there isn't a parent at home learning (or familiar) with the L2 the student is learning, then how will the student ever be corrected and learn how to properly respond? I think of my 7 yr old, and how I am constantly correcting her language, use conversational language, and her language she uses with adults (there is a difference). I never really thought about how these students are not getting the same types of reinforcement at home with their language and so therefore they continue to need extra support in the classroom in this area. Extra support that can be provided to meet these students needs are: pair share, cooperative learning groups, role playing, songs/chants, and listening to them when they have something they would like to share with you. In my class, I have 3 EL students. One boy -who LOVES to talk, and two girls that keep to themselves, play together, work together, are best friends. These girls have been coming up to my desk lately to talk to me. Usually it is about something that has nothing to do with our class, however I have started to listen. As I have listened, I have seen an improvement in their classroom participation and their confidence. I think they feel more a part of the class because I give them the time they need to converse with me. It has been an eye opener and truly something great to see!
There is an article that focuses on building reading fluency with the use of repeated reading, listening passage review, and listening only strategies. Which according to Vygotsky, this is a basic communication need.
Begeny, J. C., Krouse, H. E., Ross, S. G., & Mitchell, R. (2009). Increasing elementary-aged students’ reading fluency with small-group interventions: A comparison of repeated reading, listening passage preview, and listening only strategies. Journal of Behavioral Education, 18(3), 211-228. doi:10.1007/s10864-009-9090-9
Melissa Hale writes; "Throughout the year Jinero piked up the routine and we became fast friends. In May of that year, Jinero asked if he could teach the class the "Mexican Hat Dance" for Cinco de Mayo. He did so and when it came to picking partners, he chose me!" This is only a portion of her memory, however I really enjoyed reading about her special memory!
ReplyDeleteJoe Tapia wrote: "The article suggests that the main purpose of language is social and this affects our behaviors and the behaviors of others. I agree with this point because the main idea of commnicating is to relay a meaningful piece of information to another individual." I totally agree with Joe, as that is the MAIN purpose to communication. If I don't have something important to say, then I usually keep quiet. Which is a value I wish more people would use!