Final Service Learning Reflection #1

I believe that there a few similarities in the way student learn literacy at NALC and the typical formative literacy experience of an American. A similarity I can think of is the instruction material is constructed in a similar scaffolding manner. They introduce the most basic concepts and examples and build on top of them more complex ideas. Also in the books I have worked with at NALC the lessons are structured similarly. For example, the lessons start out with recalling and building on prior knowledge (Sometimes this is subtle, for example they throw in a few vocabulary words from past units with the new vocabulary words). This also happens when they ask students to tell about the picture at the first of every lesson. Then, they introduce the new vocabulary words and have practice pronouncing these words and learning the meanings. After that, there will be a short story where students will work on reading and pronouncing words and comprehension. Finally, there will be some sort of closure to the lesson depending on the level of the student. This is the same structure most schools use to teach elementary students English, and other things. In contrast, they are learning one on one instead of in the classroom setting. This might increase the efficiency of learning, but one of the best ways to learn is from other people. The students lose this affect in a one on one setting. They lose the advantage of other students asking questions. Granted, they can propose questions to the instructor, but sometimes it’s hard to ask the right questions that make that light bulb come on, especially when the students are of limited English proficiency. Also all of the students are not learning from professional instructors. I have felt semi-confident with the students I have worked with because education is what I’m in school for and I try to apply concepts I have learned in class with my students to make learning optimal. I believe there is a difference in ways that you can go about instructing people even on something as simple as short vowel sounds.