by Rachelle de Bretagne

Created on: December 08, 2009

Children who enter an ESL classroom do so with a label. It is hardly surprising that many feel out of place and very afraid of the lessons they are to be taught. Stepping away from their home background and the language they have grown up with, many will have already experienced the traumatic experience of being made fun of by other kids within the school environment. Their knowledge of English may be very limited indeed, though their parents will have sent them to the school to help them to learn to integrate into their new chosen society. So how does a teacher build trust with a child already suspicious about the reception they will get within that class? How can a teacher prepare and use techniques which reinforce trust?

*Body language.

*Cultural differences to be recognized.

*Respect for their given race and background.

*Breaking down barriers.

*Adapting teaching to standards of student's knowledge.

*Increasing vocabulary.

*Using the curriculum as a guide to where lessons are going.

*Making students feel more at home.

~Body language.

Body language is important. The teacher should always greet children with the universally recognized smile but be aware that hand gestures and bodily movements can be interpreted differently by different ethnic backgrounds. Being welcoming to the students is a good start, since the teacher will have to get to know the students to assess how to use their background and family interaction to support the lessons and homework given.

~Cultural differences to be recognized.

Children from all different backgrounds will also have manners and cultural responses they have been taught from very young. They may respond in different ways. Grouping students of similar backgrounds may be a useful tool in helping the children feel more at home. They won't feel so foolish making mistakes which other people of their cultural background will make. For example, those with Asian backgrounds will pronounce words differently than those with Mexican backgrounds. By making sensible groupings, one element of worry is taken out of the picture.

~Respect given for their race and background.

It's a good idea for a teacher to talk about families, and to get to know the families of their students. This helps considerably in the classroom situation, since the teacher will be able to use what they learn during lessons. The familiarity they have with their students can help to overcome barriers. In a situation such as this, when meeting families, a teacher

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