The ways in which teachers interact with non-English speaking students in the classroom can have a significantly positive affect on their performance. One method is to incorporate the students' culture and language into the learning environment. Examples of this include playing music from that language and inviting students to experience the culture's games and stories. Non-English speakers may also respond well to frequent work in small groups. Working with only a few students at a time provides more chances to communicate, which can help support their learning.
Non-English speaking students can benefit from learning some English, even by rote, in order to improve their confidence. Learning to give her name, address, and phone number in English, for example, can give the student a feeling of accomplishment and familiarity with the language. Certain phrases, like "Do you understand"? should be avoided when dealing with such students; they can provoke anxiousness and unwanted attention. That said, using gestures, pictures, objects, and other actions in the classroom can help students grasp meaning more quickly.
The relationship between a Non-English speaking student's parents and her teacher is crucial for supporting her progress in classroom. Educators should respectfully inquire with parents as to how they would like their child to be recognized culturally; any feedback they have on customs and traditions can also help create a warmer environment for their child. Also, parents should be invited to participate in classroom activities. Inviting them to stage presentations or share experiences can help all students appreciate the diversity of their classroom.
Education in the student's native tongue can be an effective way to support his learning. Some professionals recommend that students learn certain subjects in their native language, such as math, science, and social studies, while they also take intensive English language courses. Dual-immersion classes can also be used, where classrooms are divided into equal numbers of English speakers and non-English speakers, and learning takes place in both English and the other language.