Scaffolding Language, Scaffolding Learning: Teaching Second Language Learners in the Mainstream Classroom

Rating:
Summary: Theory and Practice all in one!
Review: So many books on teaching are either all theory or collections of activities loosely connected by a theme. This book explains and illustrates reasearch on second language learning while at the same time describing and explaining numerous activities that put that research into action. I disagree with the person who wrote, "I've seen better." This is a high quality, useful book (Although, I'd be happy to read at anything people think is better).

Rating:
Summary: Ok, but I've seen better!
Review: This book was a disappointment to me. I am an ESOL professional and so may have a different perspective than a mainstream teacher. It also only deals with mainstream teachers in elementary school. I think I was looking for a book that not only gave strategies for scaffolding, but a perspective on the right of ESOL students to be included in a classroom. Many mainstream teachers teach their ESOL students in a sink or swim manner and start demanding that the students be taken out or retained if they don't succeed. Bilingual education isn't an option for everybody, and sheltered English programs haven't shown their promise. I 've seen very low expectations and students don't have the opportunies that native speaking peers have. Teachers need a reason to differentiate for ESOL students. They often don't understand, and that needs to be tackled first before strategies can be discussed.