A March 2016 report from the Child Trends Hispanic Institute has found that students of Hispanic descent scored higher on national reading proficiency tests than their non-Hispanic peers in Miami-Dade county in Florida. Across the country, reading scores of fourth and eighth graders were consistently higher by half a grade all the way up to four grade levels over a ten year span from 2005-2015 in children of Cuban, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Mexican descent. Although the Institute could not provide definitive data pointing to the reasons why these test scores were higher among certain districts in areas as disparate as Montana and Florida, one of the factors considered was the successful acculturation of these students.

In the case of the 2016 report outlining how Hispanic children outperformed their white counterparts in reading proficiency, acculturation may have played a large role because it allowed for them to approach the language in the same manner as those of us who were born here. These children, perhaps through their parents or the influence of their peers, have learned to adapt to our culture and thus found easier entry into their reading, not by looking at the written word through the prism of a foreign born citizen, but as a child born within these borders. Studies have shown a connection between second language proficiency and successful acculturation, fostered by a positive view of the new culture and confident interaction with other individuals within that culture group.

For fourth and eighth grade students, we may be able to conclude that assimilation without some form of acculturation is certainly possible, though it might prove an obstacle to the successful evolution of their reading skills. This is not to suggest that they should lose their own identity, but embracing the one in which they live as readily as their own might have positive effects on their education.

Lectura Books has exceptional bilingual children’s books that will encourage Spanish and English speaking parents to read to their children. The bold illustrations will foster many multicultural experiences that the whole family can enjoy.

Acculturation and Assimilation

The post Defining Acculturation and Assimilation appeared first on The Latino Family Literacy Project.

If you’ve ever spent an extended period of time in a foreign country whose language you do not know, you know how hard it is to navigate. Can you imagine trying to learn math or science or literature in that foreign language, especially if the alphabet is different than your childhood ABCs?

That’s what many English Language Learners (ELLs) face daily in our nation’s classrooms. In fact, one quarter of all U.S. children are first or second generation immigrants, many of whom are not native English speakers. Furthermore, there’s been an uptick in child migration, with a 90% increase of child migrants between 2013 and 2014. ELLs have unique challenges when learning in general, beyond learning English.

Here’s a few techniques for empowering ELLs to learn:

1. Learn more about the culture of ELL students. Cultural and linguistic differences can become assets rather than obstacles. A student’s ease of learning English will be greatly determined by what her/his native language is. The English language ranks 33 out of 239 in “weirdness”, so understanding the key differences between a student’s native language and English helps to instruct that student more effectively.

2. Group kids of different language skill levels together when appropriate.

3. Provide background knowledge. Contextualize what’s being read and avoid idiomatic phrases. For example, if the class is reading a speech by President John F. Kennedy, instruct students about the key themes and facts of his presidency.

4. Complement instruction with visual aids, graphic organizers, peer help and home language help. Bilingual materials can also help students learn.

5. Technology can be an important classroom asset, especially videos and internet resources. Videos, especially, merge visuals and auditory information.

ELLs can be found in classrooms in all 50 states and speak a myriad of languages including Spanish, Chinese, French/Haitian Creole, and Vietnamese. Just as ELLs have unique challenges in the classroom, they also have unique assets when learning too, like the cultural experiences they bring with them to the classroom. With the right tools, attitudes, and methods, ELLs are succeeding throughout the U.S. with the help of dedicated professional educators.

Teachers can find workshops for cultural understanding to help ELL kids and include their parents in the school-going culture. The Latino Family Literacy Project has trained more than 10,000 staff in 17 states. Join our family of readers!
Register Here.

The post 5 Best Ways to Help ELLs with Academic Success appeared first on The Latino Family Literacy Project.