We sometimes get so caught up in the details of English language teaching or in searching for the latest and most creative activity idea that we forget some basic truths that affect what we do in the classroom every day.
English Language Learners come from a wide variety of backgrounds - Students' backgrounds can have a significant impact on how they perform in the classroom. Information about their backgrounds may not be immediately obvious. Some students may have many years of language learning under their belts, while other students may have very little language learning experience. And still other students may have been out of the classroom for a long time. These past experiences and backgrounds affect the beliefs and expectations that students bring to the classroom. Take the time to learn about your students' backgrounds to make sure you can tap into their perspectives on language learning.