How in the world will she learn to speak English? Tips for kids and teachers.

Good question! It has to be incredibly hard to learn a new language after 13 years!

In the past few years, researchers have been looking at how older children who are adopted learn to speak their new language. Most of the time, when people move to America and have to learn English, the entire family speaks a different language. But with children adopted from other countries, lots of times all they hear is English. Whether they are at home or at school, all they hear is English.

We are just beginning to figure out how kids learn a new language when they no longer hear their old one every day. In some ways it is harder for them, because they can't go home and talk with anyone like they used to. Everything takes so much work! On the other hand, they learn faster because they hear English all the time.

Here is what we know sometimes happens when someone is just trying to learn English, and they are not using their first language in their new home:

*They get tired out quickly! It is a LOT of work to concentrate on the words and the meaning. (You can help Katie with this by speaking slowly and clearly. Repeat what you said, or even explain something two different ways. Use pictures to help explain whenever you can.)

*Sometimes people learning a new language will pretend they understand when they really don't. They don't want to appear dumb, so they pretend they understood you. Put yourself in their shoes, and you'll have an idea of how it must feel.

*When someone is first learning the sounds of the letters and the words, they sometimes are very hard to understand. They need to practice awhile and then they will be easier to understand. You can help by being patient with them, and please don't laugh when they make mistakes. They are trying hard to say it right!

*Sometimes a new English learner will say one word when they mean another. It can be a little funny sometimes! If this happens, make sure the person knows that you are not laughing AT them. Help them to use the right word.

*Early research is showing that there is a short period of time where a child loses his native language but still hasn't acquired enough English to be "solid" in either. This will pass!

*People usually understand what people are saying before they can speak it back.

*You can help an English language learner understand by using pictures, maps, and visual supports as much as possible.

*Katie will have a little "translator" with her. It looks like a large calculator, and she or the teacher will be able to type things into it in English or Mandarin. It will translate to the other language, so that everyone can communicate.

*People learn conversational English pretty quickly; the academic language takes years to develop.



Teachers, here are some resources just for you:

http://www.ncela.gwu.edu/pubs/pigs/pig19.htm (excellent article!)

http://www.everythingesl.net

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/esl/ (good upper grade resource; may be too hard for Katie for awhile though. These might also be good with other kids struggling with language processing issues.)


http://www.wjh.harvard.edu/~lds/adoption/Snedeker_Geren_Shafto_2007.pdf