Ashley Trotter EDU 536 Spring 2014 Student Learning Outcomes Reflection Student Development: The candidate demonstrates

an understanding of how people learn and develop and can provide learning opportunities that support their intellectual, social, spiritual, and personal development. The case study in this class allowed me to really dive into the theories and assumptions behind learning and teaching a second language. Through this assignment I believe I grew in my knowledge of what makes a good ELD teacher, how ELD students learn, and what the best methods are to ensure ELD students are getting the best education possible. This case study and the class in general really allowed me to internalize what I believe about how ELD students learn best and what our responsibility as educators is to these ELD students. First, through the chapter notes, reflections, and class discussions I believe I was able to really wrestle with the different theories about language learning and teaching. Some people believe learning a second language is just like learning a first language and students simply learn by full immersion. Others believe that focusing on grammar and translation are the way fluency is achieved. While both of these theories have merit and should be incorporated into the curriculum they are limited. I believe the best approach to learning and teaching a language is through a combination of communicative theory, the natural approach, and the cognitive approach. Students need to be encouraged to speak the language they are learning, but should be given the freedom to do so when they are ready and by surrounding them with ample opportunities to listen and read the target language. Secondly, through the writing of the lesson plans and developing the annotated bibliography I was able to grasp how many resources are available for ELD teachers. There

are people who have come before and studied what are the most effective techniques and strategies and if I am able to utilize those and tweak them to meet the needs of my individual students I will be a very effective teacher. Many of the strategies used in my lesson plans also work in content-based classrooms and can be modified to fit all students needs and abilities. The ELD learning theory that most closely adheres to my beliefs about learning and teaching a second language is the CALLA-cognitive academic language learning approach. This approach emphasizes learning English in content based classrooms, using collaborative techniques and strategies to get ELD students to talk and listen, and teaching students about their own cognitive and metacognitive abilities and techniques. I believe CALLA is the most effective way to teach ELD because it exposes them to a wide range of English mediums, gives them the content to meet the state standards, and gives them the supplemental support they may need to be successful. As an English teacher and someone who hopes to spend a significant portion of her life living in an international setting, ELD students will be my reality. I need to learn how to teach them, learn from them, and make them feel valued and capable. I hope throughout my career that I am able to reach out to these students who may look or feel like outsiders. I want to give them the skill and confidence to be successful in any sphere. I also want my native English-speaking students to value them and see them as a wonderful addition to our community because of the value of their experiences and perspectives.