I am a resource teacher in a launguage immersion school. I have two students on my case load who are Spanish first language and must have all their special education in Spanish (according to IDEA). I do not speak Spanish, as a matter of fact we only have one certified Spanish speaking LD teacher in our large district. We have a bilingual aide who works with these students, under my direction. The problem is, I don’t really know what methods to use for these students. Does anyone have any suggestions, ideas, sources, etc?
Re: Teaching second language LD students
One student has an eligibility in Math, so he isn’t the issue. The other student has an eligibility in Reading and Writing…he is clearly dyslexic (reading words backwards, pqbd confusion, etc.)
IDEA states that a student must receive special education services in their first or native language—this causes quite a bit of trouble for those of us teaching in Language Immersion Schools.
Re: Teaching second language LD students
Okay- I may be sticking my neck out on this one- but I can’t find that provision anywhere. I find provision for parents of limited English at meetings (interpeters etc), limited English testing, accommodations for blind and deaf- but nowhere does it say that FAPE must be in the student’s native language. Maybe I need to look farther- but I searched Wrightslaw and the provisions for FAPE.
A total immersion school- is this and ESL immersion program or a program accwssible to all students who want to be fluent in a second language?
Robin
According to IDEA? I will have to look that one up I guess…
Anyway, the methods for ESL students shouldn’t differ appreciably form those used with English speaking students- multi-sensory, systematic and sequenced. What areas are they receiving services in?
Robin