Week 2: Let's Decode an Unfamiliar Text (Entry 4)

     In trying to decide what text to review, the first thing that came to mind was the multiple number of dual language manuals we receive.  I received a Nuwave oven for Christmas and remember seeing in the instruction manual a section in Spanish - recipes and all!  So, I decided to give reading Spanish a try.  Trying to read this section of the manual proved to be very difficult considering my extent of Spanish is counting (from one to ten) and saying "good night" and "good bye."  In my attempt to make meaning, I could identify a few words that were close to English.  Words like:  "importantes,"  "instrucciones," "producto," and "electrocucion." I could assume these words meant important, instructions, product and electrocution or shock respectively.  But, even though I could pick out a few words here and there, I could not fully understand this text.  There are pictures and diagrams throughout the text and this helps immensely in understanding the main idea of the page.  For example, there is a special instruction page (see below) about making  a pizza and through the photos and the few words I am able to understand, I think I have an adequate understanding of this page.

     
     However, without the photos I would be at a loss.  In sum, the strategies I used to try to decipher the text were as follows:

• find similar words that are familiar to English
• use diagrams or photos
• ask for help (my daughters are almost fluent in Spanish) 

     I can see where without some direct/guided instruction it is difficult to "make sense" of another unfamiliar language.  This experiment made clear that when students are in the Pre-production or Early Production stage, teachers must rely on pointing, circling and using pictures.  (Hill, 2006)  This text also makes clear the importance of knowing the child's stage of acquisition in order to provide appropriate teaching methods.  Knowing the strategies is key to helping these students become successful.

Bibliography:
   

Hill, J. &. (2006). Classroom instruction that works with english language learners. Alexandria: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

     On a side note:  In completing this assignment and in speaking with my colleagues, I have found a few more charts that I find useful.  I will attach them to the Regis discussion forum for anyone interested.