EDUC 261 - Linguistic Diversity in the Classroom

(3 credits)

The aim of this course is to prepare the aspiring early childhood teacher for understanding the basic cultural and linguistic backgrounds of English Language Learners in order to meet the challenge of raising their academic success and social integration. Using the language of Pennsylvania Department of Education’s English Language Proficiency Standards (2003) candidates will be able to adapt their instruction and assessment in order to accommodate an ELL at a specific proficiency level (entering through bridging). Such accommodation also requires building a student’s language ability in all four language domains (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) to aid in their competence in both general academic contexts (standard 1) and in one of 4 specific disciplines (standards 2-5: language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies). Students will complete four hours of field experience in an area school or educational setting. Required clearances will be needed to participate in field experiences.