Critical Reflection: English Language Learners

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Critical Reflection Paper

Not all English Language Learners are the same, learn the same way, have the same background knowledge, and have gone through the same life experiences. Because ELLs are diverse, their academic language development is going to be different according to each individual circumstance. In addition to ELLs diversity, their academic language development of English is going to be affected by many factors. Internal factors like age, personality, motivation, experiences, cognition, native language, ethnicity, religious heritage, intellectual capacities, abilities, weaknesses and strengths affect English language development (Brown, 2007). Along with internal factors, external factors like curriculum, instruction, culture
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ELLs go through the first stage which is called the “Honey Moon Stage”, where students show enthusiasm and excitement (Kersaint, Thompson, & Petkova, 2013, p. 25) The second stage is the “Hostility Stage” in which ELLs get annoying about everything in the new culture (Kersaint, Thompson, & Petkova, 2013, p. 25). The third stage is the “Home Stage” where the student achieves a sense of understanding of the new culture. Stage four “Assimilation Stage” the ELL realizes that the new culture has positive as well negatives to offer and Stage five the “Re-Entry Shock Stage” when the ELL returns the old culture for a visit and notices how things have changed in the country as well as him/her. (Kersaint, Thompson, & Petkova, 2013, p. 25-26).
Many students, including native English speakers, considered Mathematics and Science two of the most difficult subjects for them. One of the reasons that make students think that way is the academic and technical language they have to learn in order to understand, master, and succeed in the subject. Due to the difficulty students might find in each subject teachers should consider all students, including native English speakers, to be mathematics and science learners (Kersaint, Thompson, & Petkova, 2013, p.
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37). The 5E inquiry-based planning and implementation model encourage students to construct new ideas on top of their previous knowledge. This model allows students to have an active participation in Science class. This inquiry-based learning model starts with engagement that captures students’ attention. Following engagement students continues a process of inquiry through exploration. Once students explore they have the opportunity to explain their thoughts. During extension students put their learning into practice and finally students evaluate and reflect on their

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