Home Language Exercise
By LaVon Bridges
Background
When ESL students from other countries come to schools in The
United States, it is important to stress previous knowledge of a home
language. When students are able to show they know how to write well in
their native language, their self-esteem is bolstered. Writing about
their life in their home country can also be a valuable experience, as
they as able to teach those around them more about where they have come
from and their culture.
Activity
In this exercise, students should recall an experience that is
common to both their home country and The United States, such as
school, home, or work. Keeping things short, the student should first
write a paragraph in their home language, and then translate it into
English. In doing this, students are able to learn, firsthand, the
major grammar differences between their first language and English;
they also begin to practice the valuable skill of translation. Students
can also draw a picture to illustrate and accompany their writings
allowing the student yet another outlet for creative expression.
 Example
By Elinda Hetemi, bilingual student
In Albanian
Në Kosovë shkollat janë të mdha. Në Kosovë atje nuk
kena pushim. Na vetëm mësojna. Por nuk i kena mé shumë se zorë me mësu.
Matematika është shumë e zortë. Kemi problema në shumë mynyra. Per
detyra të shtëpies kemi shumë detyra. Na duhet me ngrënë bukë në shtëpi
në mënghes. Tari masandej, kur të dolim prej shköller mundësh te blesh
një hamburger ose të shkojsh të ngrënerh në shtëpi. Ka qenë shkollë
shumë e mir¨. Em´rin e ka jasë "Ghon Serreqi."
Translation In English
In Kosovo, the schools are very big. In
Kosovo there we don’t have recess. We just learn. But we don’t have
more than two hours to learn. The "mathematic" is very hard. We have
problems -- hard ones. For homework, for home, we have lots of them. We
have to eat food at home in the morning. Then when we get ready to go
home we have to buy a hamburger at the store or go and eat at home. It
was a very good school. It was called "Ghon Servegi."
|
