non engluish speaking students

[GaryC 7]

I'd have thought there were a few caring compassionate humans on here, that might have seen or been through something similar who would maybe discuss ideas on ways to make alittle girl more comfortable and understood........

Guess I'm going to have to learn that things are different down there.

My new step-son Robin has some language issues. He understands English very well but he is a little shy about speaking it and often stumbles on the words he is looking for. Before they came here I put him in a ESL class in PI which helped some but I wish he was a little better before starting school here. When we signed him up for school they didn't have a ESL class available so he is doing the best he can. So far so good. He seems to be adjusting well. I guess for him it's more of a confidence issue than one of knowing the words. I have no doubt that this time next year he will be much better.

[Marilyn. 340]

I don't think she was looking for an answer to the problem or wondering what action to take she was just sharing her experience...

women do that sometimes, they just like talking about stuff, doesn't mean the man as to try and fix it all the time

*****************

kids seem to have more of a knack for picking up languages...

I guess we loose it as we get older

Edited August 27, 2007 by MarilynP

[Logres 0]

women do that sometimes, they just like talking about stuff, doesn't mean the man as to try and fix it all the time

I always wondered why you go to the restroom in groups

kids seem to have more of a knack for picking up languages...

That is very true........... I'm sure the kid will work through it.

[Nancy2015 2]

I don't think she was looking for an answer to the problem or wondering what action to take she was just sharing her experience...

women do that sometimes, they just like talking about stuff, doesn't mean the man as to try and fix it all the time

I wish my husband learned to understand that!

Children are good at picking up languages, but of course, at least some basic English skills would be beneficial before starting school.

[Tinker 0]

Well I think even having Ionescu's daughter spending some time with her speaking in English will be a great help. Kids are quick picking up things in their enviorment, like someone else said, by December there will probably be a great improvement.

We can all learn different languages at home, but it's pretty much useless without the benefit of actually going out and using it. Having a friend to try to speak to will boost her confidence as well. Like GaryC said about his son, they need some confidence.

[Captain Ewok 1,900]

Guys I saw some off beat comments in this thread. If they do not stop I will have to close it. Please be more respectful to other members. Thanks.

[Ban Hammer 13,619]

Which tallys with Mawilson's claim.

i just hate it when that happens

[Sinergy 3]

what did i think would happen when starting this thread? more compassion then i saw, and not so many attacks on me by someone. i hate it when someone thinks its ok to go into a thread and just bc they dont agree with someone they attack them over and over.

however my daughter will work with the girl and help her bc she is a good and loving person. i guess i shouldnt let her on VJ or she will be ruined . as far as wondering what we should do i wasnt asking for help or anything, as marylin stated, i was sharing something. if i was asking something ill post it in POLLS.

nighty night see ya at work tomorrow

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Work? Is that what you call it?

[Sinergy 3]

Work? Is that what you call it?

I think of you guys more of co-workers than the ppl i really work with

[Ban Hammer 13,619]

Work? Is that what you call it?

I think of you guys more of co-workers than the ppl i really work with

[tanyakaraman 0]

IMO, Americans in general are unreasonably intolerant of people who speak other languages and do not speak English, either at all or well. It takes time to learn a new language. I have been trying to learn Turkish for over a year now and I am nowhere near fluent. I am fortunate in that when I visit Turkey, I have a wonderful (and handsome! ) personal interpreter with me at all times. I couldn't imagine how lost I would be over there without him.

If I moved to Turkey with my children, they would be in the same situation as the child in question here. I would hope they would not be viewed in the same fashion by native Turkish speakers, and I suspect that they would not be. Why? Firstly, because the Turks do not think of children in this negative way. Secondly, because they speak English...the universal world language. Our language is spoken at least marginally and signs are translated into English in most countries around the world. Native speakers of other languages do not have things so easy.

Further, I think that a non-English speaking student in our US school systems should be viewed as a learning experience for all of the other students, not a drain on the system. We Americans need to realize that we live in a diverse world. We should try to become more a part of that world rather than withdrawing into our little English-speaking shells and shutting out others who are oh-God-forbid...DIFFERENT...than us, assuming that they are not valuable people, and are therefore "holding us back".

That is my opinion.

[pedroh 21]

IMO, Americans in general are unreasonably intolerant of people who speak other languages and do not speak English, either at all or well. It takes time to learn a new language. I have been trying to learn Turkish for over a year now and I am nowhere near fluent. I am fortunate in that when I visit Turkey, I have a wonderful (and handsome! ) personal interpreter with me at all times. I couldn't imagine how lost I would be over there without him.

If I moved to Turkey with my children, they would be in the same situation as the child in question here. I would hope they would not be viewed in the same fashion by native Turkish speakers, and I suspect that they would not be. Why? Firstly, because the Turks do not think of children in this negative way. Secondly, because they speak English...the universal world language. Our language is spoken at least marginally and signs are translated into English in most countries around the world. Native speakers of other languages do not have things so easy.

Further, I think that a non-English speaking student in our US school systems should be viewed as a learning experience for all of the other students, not a drain on the system. We Americans need to realize that we live in a diverse world. We should try to become more a part of that world rather than withdrawing into our little English-speaking shells and shutting out others who are oh-God-forbid...DIFFERENT...than us, assuming that they are not valuable people, and are therefore "holding us back".

That is my opinion.

OWNED

everytime I hear somebody talk about a foreign kid, is always rolling the eyes.. like OMG they dont speak english! and she/he sits next to my kid!!! OMG its delaying the kids education.. instead of like cool, a foreign person, let's teach him some words, and maybe learn some of his language ** NOO, WE ARE IN AMERICA AND WE SPEAK AMERICAN BOY!! WE DONT NEED TO LEARN NO FOREIGN LANGUAGE* (xenophobe LOL)

[Sinergy 3]

i guess my question here is how in the world did what i said turn to me being intolerable to kids who dont speak english and scared of them sitting near my kids??

Let me set all the word twisters strait.

I started this topic to bring up the fact that this little girl was struggling in school bc of the language barrier. Second that i felt BAD for her, and felt GOOD about my daughter reaching out to her.

and this statement "We Americans need to realize that we live in a diverse world. We should try to become more a part of that world rather than withdrawing into our little English-speaking shells and shutting out others who are oh-God-forbid...DIFFERENT...than us, assuming that they are not valuable people, and are therefore "holding us back". "

I found a bit dramatic seeing NO ONE was even coming close to saying or feeling this way. The problem isnt the children who dont speak english, its the judgmental adults in this world who say things like the quoted and it gets passed on to their children who become judgmental. And even when your saying something good, the fact that "non english speaking" was stated, the whole thing is thrown out of proportion.

[LaL 418]

this thread has been closed per the request of the OP. thanks.