How+to+Develop+Relationships+with+Peers

Imagine walking into a classroom and not understanding a word the teacher is saying. You don't know what you are supposed to do. All eyes are on you. You have no idea what is expected of you or how to get the simplest question answered. That is what your new English language learner (ELL) faces. Assigning a peer buddy to help him or her understand what is going on in this new situation can be very helpful.
 * Providing a Peer Buddy for your new ESL student **

Identify a classmate who is eager to help the new student. The buddy can make sure the ELL understands what he or she is supposed to do. It will be even more helpful if the peer partner knows the ELL's first language.

During the first few weeks, the buddy can explain what's going on. This is a confidence builder for the buddy and provides a new friend for the ELL. Rotate buddies so that the newcomer doesn’t become too dependent on one person and the buddy doesn't miss schoolwork. This lets more students share in helping the newcomer.

Use English-speaking buddies, too. You'll need to help these buddies learn how to work with non-English speakers. Remember to compliment buddies who take their job seriously. Teach them to be patient, repeat instructions or information, and not to overwhelm the student with too much talk. Help them understand that some newcomers might be in the "silent period" of learning English and may not want to speak at all for several months after arriving, but not to give up talking to them.

 **//How a peer buddy can help a new English Language Learner://**
 * ** //Teach the classroom routine .// ** || ** //Include them in games on the playground.// ** ||
 * ** //Take them to ESL class and back again.// ** || ** //Play vocabulary games with them.// ** ||
 * ** //Sit with them at lunch.// ** || ** //Listen to taped books with them.// ** ||
 * ** //Communicate by using gestures, short phrases and visuals.// ** || ** //Walk home with them or sit with them on the bus.// ** ||
 * ** //Teach them letters, numbers and beginning vocabulary.// ** || ** //Learn a few words of the newcomer's language.// ** ||
 * ** //For secondary school show them where classes are// ** || ** //Show how to use locker// ** ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">** //Provide a break from speaking English (if the peer buddy is bilingual).// ** || <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">** //Encourage them to join extracurricular activities such as sports, school clubs or scouts.// ** ||

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Before your new student arrives, discuss with your class how to make the new student feel welcome. How can they have fun together? How can they get their schoolwork done? What are the best ways to learn each others' languages? Be aware that peer buddies between five and eight years old are not always reliable translators, so peer buddies in those grades may have a limited use.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">When possible, provide newcomers with a break from English. Allow the newcomer to spend time each day during those first weeks speaking with others of the same native language.If there are no students in the newcomer's class who speak his/her language, consider finding a cross-grade tutor: an older student in the same school who speaks the same native language and can answer questions about school life and help with lessons. It is also helpful to list people at your school who speak the languages of your students, such as other teachers, custodians, same-language students in other classes and parent or community volunteers. Make sure that anyone coming in contact with the student or family has this list, including office personnel, school counselors and the school nurse.

**//Develop a Family Buddy Program//** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Develop a school-based program that will link a new immigrant learner and his or her entire //family// with a native English speaking family. That way, “New and established kids and families socialize and discuss the ins and outs of school. And…they often turn language acquisition into a two-way street,” (Cary, 2007 p. 60).

=
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">//Adapted from http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid61485783001?bckey=AQ,AAAAAFwNJhQ~,2UA9EcWU7ePGeIdbqtVyVPBCqxm0mOQO&bclid=32496159001&bctid=32524079001// ======

=
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">//"Pair Your Newcomers with Buddies" by Judie Haynes, retrieved from @http://www.everythingesl.net/inservices/buddies.php // ======