The gifts that ELLs bring to school

Summary

The transcript highlights the perspective of educators who view multilingualism and adaptability as gifts, not deficits, in students. It emphasizes the high emotional intelligence required for children to navigate different cultures and languages, which is often overlooked. The staff at Minnieville Elementary School is praised for recognizing and nurturing the unique talents of their diverse student body, including a significant number identified as gifted, reflecting a shift in perspective towards seeing students as promising rather than academically challenged.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The speaker believes that being bilingual is a gift, not a detriment, highlighting the value of language skills in students.
• 🌐 Students are praised for their ability to travel and assimilate into different cultures, which is seen as a sign of high emotional intelligence.
• 👶 The speaker emphasizes that children, even at a young age, are capable of significant emotional and social adaptability.
• 🏆 The staff at Minnieville recognize and appreciate the various gifts and talents of their students, beyond just academic abilities.
• 🔍 There is an effort to actively identify and nurture the unique talents and gifts in students, including those who are second language learners or immigrants.
• 🏫 Minnieville has a high number of students identified as eligible for gifted programs, which is seen as a positive achievement.
• 👀 A change in perspective is encouraged to view students not as academically challenged, but as students of promise.
• 🌟 The importance of recognizing and celebrating the emotional and social intelligence of students is underscored.
• 👍 The speaker expresses pride in the approach taken at Minnieville to acknowledge and develop the potential of all students.
• 💡 The script suggests that recognizing the gifts in students can lead to a more inclusive and supportive educational environment.
• 📈 The focus is on identifying and enhancing the strengths of students, rather than focusing solely on academic performance.

Q & A

What is the perspective of the speaker regarding students who speak multiple languages?

The speaker views students who speak multiple languages as having a gift, emphasizing that it is not a detriment but rather an advantage.

Why does the speaker believe that traveling to different countries and assimilating into various communities is a gift?

The speaker believes it is a gift because it requires a high level of emotional intelligence to successfully adapt to different environments, which is a valuable skill.

What does the speaker think about the abilities of second language learners and immigrant students?

The speaker thinks that these students have exceptional abilities, particularly in emotional intelligence, and they deserve more credit for their achievements.

How does the speaker describe the staff's approach to identifying the talents and gifts in students?

The staff actively seeks to find and recognize the various gifts and talents in students, not just academic ones, but also emotional and other talents.

What is the significance of the high number of students at Minnieville being found eligible for gifted programs?

It signifies that the school is successful in identifying and acknowledging the diverse talents and abilities of its students, viewing them as students of promise.

How does the speaker suggest changing the perspective on students who may be struggling academically?

The speaker suggests viewing these students not as academically challenged, but as students of promise with untapped potential.

What is the speaker's opinion on the importance of recognizing and nurturing the emotional intelligence of students?

The speaker considers emotional intelligence a gift and believes that recognizing and nurturing it is crucial for the students' overall development.

How does the speaker view the role of educators in supporting second language learners and immigrant students?

The speaker believes that educators should be supportive and acknowledge the unique strengths and gifts these students bring to the classroom.

What does the speaker imply about their own abilities compared to those of the children they are discussing?

The speaker implies that they, as an adult, would struggle to do what these children are doing, highlighting the impressive capabilities of the students.

What is the speaker's view on the potential of second language learners and immigrant students in the context of Minnieville?

The speaker sees great potential in these students and believes that with the right perspective and support, they can excel and be recognized for their gifts.

How does the speaker suggest that the school's approach to identifying gifted students has changed?

The speaker suggests that the school has shifted its approach to identify gifted students by looking beyond academic achievements and recognizing a broader range of talents and abilities.