The Power of Language in Teaching and Identity
Teaching Dual Language Learners with Intention How do young students pick up language, and what part do teachers play? This week, I've been thinking about bilingual language learning through the reading from Langdon and Levey, plus the videos Two Languages at a Time and First Steps from Colorin' Colorado. Learning a language isn't just about memorizing words and grammar rules; it's an emotional and social journey, connected to who the student is. Learning First and Second Languages Langdon breaks down second language learning into stages. One that stood out to me is the "silent period," when learners mostly listen and try to understand before they start speaking. Misreading this silence as a problem is easy, but it's a regular part of the process. In Langdon's story, Clara, a bilingual student, goes through this stage, showing that quiet doesn't mean she's not learning. I also thought about Deb Roy's TED Talk, The Birth of a Word. Watch...