Wed+3-7

How else can schools be structured to explore power relationships among language and culture?

**__Before Class:__** Think about these questions as you explore: Think about these questions as you explore:
 * Please explore the[| U.S. English website]
 * 1) What is the general message the website is attempting to get across to viewers?
 * 2) What is the website's stance on bilingual education?
 * Please explore the [|National Association for Bilingual Education's]
 * 1) What is the general message the website is attempting to get across to viewers?
 * 2) What is the website's stance on bilingual education?

Activity Reflection Questions: 1. What struggles did you have doing this activity? 2. As teachers how can we help students overcome these struggles? "Second language learners may appear to have shorter attention spans than native speakers, but in reality those students may be suffering from the fatigue of trying to make sense out of their new language. Often teachers complain that their English learners misbehave and don’t pay attention, or they think their second language learners may have some learning problems because they do not seem to be learning. The first language preview and review can help them understand and stay engaged in their lessons." - Understanding Misconceptions to Provide Effective Bilingual Education 3. Which of these characteristics did you notice yourself, or your classmates, exhibiting while trying to complete the "Understanding Cultural Shock Activity"? 4. How does this change the way you will view second language learners in your classroom? **NABE Website**
 * __During Class:__**
 * Understanding Cultural Shock Activity
 * Website Discussion
 * Mission: "NABE's mission is to advocate for our nation's Bilingual and English Language Learners and families and to cultivate a multilingual multicultural society by supporting and promoting policy, programs, pedagogy, research, and professional development that yield academic success, value native language, lead to English proficiency, and respect cultural and linguistic diversity."
 * Advocacy of NABE: "Educational Excellence and Equity for ELLs"
 * 1) Advocacy for federal and state legislation to address the unique needs of English language learners.
 * 2) Advocacy for adequate funding, well trained teachers, appropriate assessments, and other resources for English learner programs.
 * 3) Advocacy for equal educational opportunity, including strong civil-rights policies and aggressive enforcement of the Lau v. Nichols decision.
 * 4) Advocacy against political attacks on language-minority communities, such as the English Only movement and anti-bilingual-education initiatives


 * Video
 * [|U.S. Schools Try New Bilingual Education Method]
 * "Americans are not known for their ability to speak foreign languages, and efforts to teach them to children have often been ineffective and sometimes even controversial. Now, educators believe they've found a better way to do it."


 * U.S. ENGLISH Website**
 * Mission: "The U.S. ENGLISH Foundation contends that learning English quickly and learning it with English-speaking peers is the best way for English learners to get ahead academically and socially. Although English learners do require special language assistance, it is the Foundation's stance that this assistance should be short-term and transitional. It is the goal of the U.S. ENGLISH Foundation to ensure that English continues to serve as an integrating force among our nation's many ethnic groups and remains a vehicle of opportunity for new Americans. To accomplish that goal, the U.S. ENGLISH Foundation has established these missions:
 * To help improve the teaching of English to immigrants, to allow them to enjoy the economic opportunities available in this country.
 * To research language issues and policies within the United States producing briefings to educate all citizens.
 * To study language policy and its effects around the world, so we can apply the lessons learned in other countries to the United States.
 * To raise public awareness about the importance of our common language.
 * Advocacy for U.S. ENGLISH Foundation: "Declaring English the official language means that official government business at all levels must be conducted solely in English. This includes all public documents, records, legislation and regulations, as well as hearings, official ceremonies and public meetings. Thirty-one states have some form of official English law. Most recently, Oklahoma passed official English legislation in 2010. U.S.ENGLISH is currently working in several states to pass measures that will enact new official English bills or strengthen existing legislation."

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 * Video
 * [|'English Only' Sign Triples Diner's Business]
 * Discussion Question: One of the missions of the U.S. ENGLISH Foundation's website is "To raise public awareness about the importance of our common language". How do you feel about this statement, do you believe this is necessary?
 * If you are still interested: [|English Ad- "English Is The Key To Opportunity"]
 * Think about [|The Myths and Realities] while viewing