I really enjoyed the readings this week, especially the chapters from Writing Between Languages! I felt that these chapters are extremely important with the numbers of ESL students increasing in the classroom. What really stuck me was the section that described the idea that one of the issues with student writing is that they are forced to think in English while writing in English. When students are forced to think in a language other than their native one, they have to try to distinguish what the appropriate vocabulary and conventions are. Because their English is not completely well formed, so much focus is placed on just trying to find the right ideas. Their writing becomes choppy because they focus on using the simplest vocabulary and conventions to get their ideas across. It is important to teach students that it is ok to think in their native language when writing. If they write in Spanish, for example, then translate to English they can get their ideas out on paper. Although time consuming, ELLs can use dictionaries and learn more English as well as the relationship between their native language and English.

            When I was in second grade, my best friend was a new student and came from France. She moved to the United States at age 5 and, as a result, spent two years in a French-American school where she learned the bulk of her studies in a mix of French and English. It was not until the end of middle school that her writing began to improve. She, like the students described in the book, felt that she had to think in English while writing. At age 21, she thinks in French during all aspects of her day, unless she has to write. At this moment, she switches to English and stumbles over her words, even though she speaks English better than many native speakers. What I find interesting about her case is that her verbal English is beyond perfect. I asked her why she thinks this is and she said that although she speaks English, she thinks in French and subconsciously translates! This validates Fu’s argument even more and demonstrates how important a student’s natural language is to their education.