The English Second Language (ESL) Classroom

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that culture is embraced and at times rejected by people trying to assimilate into another culture and to learn a new language. The author points out that a student's diverse attitude towards culture does not have to be seen as negative; however, in education, it often is. The paper lists eight common traits of people, who try to assimilate into a culture, which must be taken into consideration in the ESL classroom. The author stresses that language is the key to successful adjustment and identification into a dominant society. The paper underscores that the easiest way to teach a language is to have the student identify with the culture they are moving into. The paper stresses that the teacher has a responsibility to not only teach the English language to the bi-cultural student but also to assimilate the student into the culture with minimal conflict.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Common Traits of an ESL Student
Examples of Incorporating Culture into the Teaching of Language in the ESL Classroom
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"There are a variety of ways to incorporate culture into the ESL classroom like including music, stories, teaching gender roles, differences in food and the proper behavior in public. These are all things that must be done to flow freely and easily in American society, but could be filled with conflict for a person who does not speak English and who needs to fulfill the basic requirements of assimilating into American culture. The incorporation of these simple yet basic elements in American culture will enhance the teaching of an ESL classroom and provide a fundamental understanding of the language they are learning."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Beginning ESL Lessons and Accompanying Teacher Training Modules. (n.d.). Retrieved April 25, 2007, from http://humanities.byu.edu/elc/Teacher/sectiontwo/sectionII.html
• Bilingual/ESL. (2007). Retrieved April 25, 2007, from http://www.ecs.org/html/issue.asp?issueID=16
• Brooks, E. (1994, January). Japanese popular culture in the classroom. Retrieved April 25, 2007, from http://www.indiana.edu/~japan/digest3.html
• Brown, J. (2006, April 4). Rhymes, stories and songs in the ESL classroom. Retrieved April 25, 2007, from http://iteslj.org/Articles/Brown-Rhymes.html
• Cultural identity. (n.d.). Retrieved April 25, 2007, from http://www.ncela.gwu.edu/pubs/classics/culture/identity.htm

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