[ALBSA-Info] Albanian Student in Upstate New York

[albboschurch at juno.com]

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Tasim Tasimi" <prespa at snet.net>
To: "Albanian Orthodox Church" <albboschurch at juno.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2001 23:54:30 -0500
Subject: Albanian Student in New York


Dear Friend,
    I received an e-mail from the Albanian Orthodox Church of Boston with
your message attached about a young Albanian student newly enrolled in
your school district.  Enthusiastically, I could hardly wait to return a
message as soon as possible.  
    To begin, I am an ESL teacher in the city of Waterbury, CT.  I teach
children that come from all different parts of the world, mostly from
Albania and Kosova.  I, too am Albanian, am fluent in Albanian and
totally understand your frustration and his also.
    This student needs a crash course of ESL if possible.  If your school
district has no such means, than I suggest you ask your pricipal for a
sheltered version of the content subjects.  Everything should be modified
for him, such as tests and quizzes.  By the way, it is against the law to
fail a student based on the fact that he cannot speak the language, this
is discrimination.  
    Please be careful to see that this student needs time and patience. 
I am sure that his math skills are superior to other students.  Second
Language Acquisiton takes 5 to 7 years to have cognitive academic
language skills.  I suggest strongly that the team of 8th graders that
are working with this student give him Incompletes for the first 3
marking periods and then give him a chance in the 4th marking period.  It
is very unfair to fail him.
     The internet has many websites that deal with ESL students of many
grade levels. Maybe the content teachers can find lessons that will
accommodate this student in the classroom.  He will go through many
language stages, the first being the silent period and then single word,
phrases and then sentences.
    I work with elementary school children and realize that you must have
time and patience for success, but believe me you will be thrilled to see
how fast and how far these children will succeed.
    Please reply.
        Donika Tasimi
        ESL Teacher
        Waterbury Public Schools
        e-mail address   prespa at snet.net

    
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