U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi actively encourages English language learning through a variety of programs and resources. The embassy also works directly with local institutions like AMIDEAST to promote English language learning in the UAE.
Pedagogical Practices & English Language Literacy Development
Having come from another country, Kim is in the process of learning the English language. As she maneuvers her way through each school day at her elementary school, Kim is bombarded with opportunities to listen to and use her new language. Her teachers are also focused on providing Kim with ample opportunities to practice what she is learning. Her classroom teacher, Mrs. Gray, has adopted several pedagogical practices designed to help Kim adapt to and develop skills in English language literacy.
There are several methods by which teachers, such as Mrs. Gray, can teach, support, and reinforce English language literacy. Let's look at a list of pedagogical practices that can be influential.
It is important to help English language learners make connections between what they already know (background knowledge) and what they are learning. Teachers should take steps to tie new information to a student's prior knowledge and to their culture. Helping students make these connections enables them to build schema on which to file and comprehend new information.