interview with ELL teacher

Summary

In this interview, Tyler Allen, a high school Spanish teacher, and Quinn Zeus, an elementary ESL teacher, share their experiences and insights on teaching English language learners (ELLs). Quinn discusses her transition from teaching German to ESL, highlighting the challenges and rewards of working with young learners and refugees, especially those with traumatic backgrounds. Both educators emphasize the importance of cultural awareness, parental involvement, and differentiated instruction in fostering ELL success. Quinn also reflects on her future career goals, including teaching abroad and continuing to work with diverse students.

Takeaways

• 😀 The primary motivation for Quinn Zeus to become an ESL teacher was her interest in working with students from diverse backgrounds and her affinity for language learning, especially English.
• 😀 Teaching ESL at the elementary level requires a different approach compared to teaching a language like German at the high school level, with major differences in student age, motivation, and the need for parental involvement.
• 😀 Students learning ESL in the U.S. often need English for survival, as they may be the primary communicators for their families, highlighting the urgency of acquiring the language.
• 😀 For young learners (K-2), effective ESL strategies include using visuals, songs, chants, and Total Physical Response (TPR) to reinforce vocabulary and concepts, especially for newcomers.
• 😀 Differentiating instruction is essential for ESL learners, as there can be a wide range of proficiency levels. For example, students might be fluent in speaking but struggle with reading and writing.
• 😀 Quinn emphasizes the importance of using anchor charts to help students with academic writing, such as persuasive letters, and provides explicit modeling of each step of the writing process.
• 😀 Understanding cultural differences is critical for ESL teachers, such as recognizing how cultural norms (e.g., eye contact) may affect communication and behavior in the classroom.
• 😀 Teachers should educate themselves about the trauma some ESL students may have experienced, particularly refugee students, to provide more informed and empathetic support.
• 😀 Parental involvement is a key factor in a child's success in learning English, with parents actively engaging in language-related activities—regardless of whether the language is English or the child's first language.
• 😀 Quinn advocates for the bilingual development of students, encouraging parents to maintain the use of their native language at home while learning English, which offers long-term cognitive and academic benefits.
• 😀 Quinn has considered pursuing a PhD, but she values her current role as an ESL teacher and enjoys working with students of varying ages and backgrounds. She also hopes to teach ESL abroad in Asia to further expand her global teaching experience.

Q & A

What is Quinn Zeus's teaching background before transitioning to teaching English as a second language (ESL)?

Quinn Zeus was originally a German teacher, but she transitioned to teaching English as a second language (ESL) when the school where she was working needed an ESL instructor.

How does teaching elementary ESL students differ from teaching high school students according to Quinn Zeus?

Quinn notes that teaching elementary students is very different because of the **age gap** and the **motivation** levels. She also found that elementary students tend to have more **parental involvement** and support, which she believes positively impacts their learning.

What are some effective teaching strategies Quinn uses with young ESL learners?

Quinn uses visual aids, gestures, Total Physical Response (TPR), and songs to engage young ESL learners, making the learning process interactive and enjoyable.

What is Quinn's approach when working with adult ESL learners?

For adult learners, Quinn focuses on teaching **academic vocabulary**, writing strategies, and emphasizes the importance of **modeling writing** for them.

How does Quinn emphasize cultural sensitivity in her teaching?

Quinn emphasizes the importance of understanding the **cultural backgrounds** and **native languages** of her students. She believes this helps avoid misunderstandings and improves the learning experience, particularly when students have been affected by **trauma**.

What was one of the most challenging aspects of Quinn's early experience teaching ESL?

One of the most challenging aspects for Quinn was working with a group of **Burmese refugee students** who had been affected by **trauma**. She noted the difficulty of understanding their behavior and the importance of cultural awareness in such situations.

What advice does Quinn offer to new ESL teachers?

Quinn advises new ESL teachers to **educate themselves about their students' cultural and historical backgrounds**, which can greatly enhance their teaching effectiveness and help them understand the challenges their students face.

What are Quinn's career aspirations beyond teaching ESL?

Quinn is considering pursuing a **PhD** or teaching **English as a Foreign Language** (EFL) abroad, particularly in **Asia**, where there is a high demand for English teachers.

What does Quinn find most rewarding about being an ESL teacher?

Quinn finds teaching ESL to be incredibly fulfilling, especially because of the **impact on students' lives**. She expresses that teaching gives her a reason to smile daily and brings her a sense of personal satisfaction.

How does Quinn feel about her current role as an ESL teacher?

Quinn is very satisfied with her current teaching job. She enjoys the variety of teaching both **young children and adults** and feels that her work as an ESL teacher is everything she hoped for and more.