“As many of our cases indicate, SIFE often have intensive social and emotional needs as well as academic ones. These needs stem from their lack of experience in a formal school setting, their academic difficulties in New York schools, and for some, the traumatic experiences and unstable living conditions they had in their native countries and in the United States. Many of our clients required counseling or other supports, but few received them. When they did not receive these supports, they became disengaged with school and had behavioral issues in and outside of the classroom. A number left school as a result.” (from Advocates for Children reading)

This so, so important. Oftentimes it is not a focus, but if anything the social and emotional needs of ELLs are even more important than academic needs at the the beginning! This is an issue that gets at my sense of empathy. Especially since working with a little girl who speaks only Arabic in a class of English speakers and a teacher who does not seem to like her.

It is painful enough to be a new student when you can communicate effectively with your peers and teachers. As someone speaking very little of the classroom language, it can be an immensely stressful and painful transition. Probably more so than I can understand. Honestly, I would not be strong enough to handle that as an adult, let alone as a child. In order to learn effectively, one must feel safe and secure in their environment and in themselves. I have started using a large “code” of pictures to express needs and feelings with the little girl in my classroom who is an Arabic speaker. She can use this to express simple things, like needing to use the bathroom. But we also use this to say, “good job.” Or to ask to play a game. Whatever strategy is used, as we teach basic communicative language it is necessary to be as gentle as possible and offer encouragement even when progress is very slow. In adolescence, this seems especially important to ensure immersion in the new setting and culture while maintaining a sense of connection to background and comfort during the transition.