Navigating the Diverse Landscape of B2B Sales Appointment Setting Models:

The Challenges of Sales and Marketing Leaders who are Considering the Right Telemarketing

Model in Securing Sales Appointments.

© VSA, 2017

Executive Summary Part 2:

Solutions and Case Studies that Support OLA for Elementary English Language Learning (ELL) Students.

1 © GrapeSEED, 2018

Nearly three out of every four American classrooms now include at least one English language learner (ELL). Part One of this series identified the five key challenges that have arisen in addressing this pressing issue, such as gaps in education and mandates for performance growth. This paper looks at the emerging best practices and creative solutions that school districts around the country are employing.

Bilingualism Promotes Social Skills

A growing body of research attests that dual language immersion classes rapidly speed the acquisition of language skills. Now studies are finding that young children who are raised bilingual gain less obvious advantages. For example, bilingual children as young as 3 have demonstrated a head start on tests about perspective-taking and theory of mind, the ability to understand and predict behavior based on grasping how others might have different beliefs, behaviors and perspectives from themselves.1

“Children in multilingual environments have social experiences that provide routine practice in considering the perspectives of others,” explained Katherine Kinzler, an associate professor of psychology and human development at Cornell University. “They have to think about who speaks which language to whom, who understands which content, and the times and places in which different languages are spoken.”2

A growing body of research attests that… immersion classes

rapidly speed the acquisition of language skills.

2 © GrapeSEED, 2018

Start Early

Oral language acquisition is the foundation for building literacy at an early age, when it is more effective and more cost effective.

Scientists believe that up until age seven to eight years, children can learn and speak a second language fluently. When they are older, learning performance will gradually decline. Current data shows that when the literacy gap is not closed before children enter the third grade, it is difficult and sometimes impossible to close in subsequent primary and secondary education. It costs significantly more to support an ELL in grades 3 through 12 than it does someone who has been successful in oral language acquisition and reading at level.

One solution is GrapeSEED, an innovative oral language acquisition program, founded on research, based on principals of natural language acquisition, and aligned with learning sciences. The program for students in grades K through 3 creates remarkable engagement by having them sing, chant, dance, and read their way to remarkable growth in language proficiency and success in assessments and test scores. At Berrien Springs School in Michigan, roughly a quarter of the 450 children are ELLs coming from seven different countries. Principal Darla Campbell says children in the GrapeSEED program achieve at much higher levels than students who were not.

Children in the GrapeSEED program achieved higher literacy scores than students who were not.

3 © GrapeSEED, 2018

Make it fun

A program that provides a strong oral foundation should also be fun and engaging, which can mean stretching the boundaries of the materials and techniques that are used. For example, an Edinburg, Texas school used augmented reality tools that combine alphabet cards, sight word cards, and word family cards with technology that causes 3D zoo animals to come to life.

“I had students screaming and jumping up and down,” says educator Hugo E. Gomez. “To many teachers that is a nightmare, but the fact is I was getting a positive reaction.” Students know that they’re going to have fun while learning, which he says helps them develop their English and problem-solving skills. Seeing and hearing the sounds that each letter represents helps students recognize their letters and sounds, which translates to them reading more proficiently.

GrapeSEED creates remarkable student engagement through songs, action activities, chants, shared reading poems, and stories. It accelerates learning and confidence.

4 © GrapeSEED, 2018

Integrate Content and Language

Traditionally, language learning has been considered a processing of imparting rules and words in a way that is separate from teaching content knowledge. The common belief has been that subjects like math and science cannot be learned in another language, and students who struggle academically in their first language will only fall further behind when placed in a language-immersion program.

However, there is a growing consensus that students actually learn new skills and knowledge just as effectively when these are taught in a second language. “We have found that ELLs benefit from instructional approaches that treat language and content in an integrated way that is designed to help them build the language skills that they need to succeed in content classrooms, college, and careers,” says Rebecca Greene, a senior research assistant for Stanford University.

The importance of oral language is a key component of second language acquisition which is often minimized. However, without an emphasis on oral language, ELL students progress more slowly in written language and take longer to gain English language proficiency – and can be frustrated in their acquisition of other content.

The challenges of ELL are multi-faceted and complex. As the number of ELL students continue to rise, school districts must embrace creative approaches that are based on solid science, and have a demonstrable track record of success.

We have found that ELLs benefit from instructional approaches that treat language and content in an integrated way that is designed to help them build the language skills that they need to succeed in content classrooms, college, and careers.

5 © GrapeSEED, 2018

References

1. https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/11/29/497943749/6-potential-brain-benefits-of-bilingual-education

2. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/13/opinion/sunday/the-superior-social-skills-of-bilinguals.html?_r=0

About GrapeSEED

GrapeSEED is an innovative language acquisition program based on the principles of natural language development. Research-based and success-proven, GrapeSEED closes the achievement gap in language and increases reading fluency. This dynamic and interactive ELPA21 aligned program

features increased student-teacher engagement which accelerates learning, confidence, and results in improved test scores. Oral language proficiency is the foundation for academic success, providing a bridge to reading and writing for English Learning (ELL) and English Language Proficiency (ELP) students in preschool and elementary classrooms. Around the world in 19 countries, including the U.S. education leaders who struggle with OLA and literacy achievement challenges, rely on GrapeSEED for increased literacy test scores and academic progress for English Language Learners and at-risk students. For more information, visit www.grapeseed.com, contact info@grapeseed.com or call 800.449.8841.