Every English language learner with limited prior schooling can learn and
be successful when given appropriate supports and opportunities.
ELLs with limited prior schooling can thrive in a school where everyone
has a shared understanding of their backgrounds, and where all
educators share a vision of high expectations for every student.
Every ELL with limited prior schooling needs to see himself or herself as
a learner, with a place and a contribution to make in the classroom and
the school community.
Due to their limited prior education, these students will often require
more time than most English language learners to achieve academic
profi ciency.
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The English language learner
with limited prior schooling
We must fi rst comprehend the fact that children – all children
– come to school motivated to enlarge their culture. But we
must start with their culture … and look fi rst to determine
how they seek to know themselves and others and how their
expertise and experience can be used as the fuel to fi re their
interests, knowledge, and skills … for they are rich in assets.
As teachers, we enter their world in order to aid them and to
build bridges between two cultures.
Eugene Garcia,