Bridging the Language Gap in Elementary Schools

Professor, students researching ways to help English language learners - and their parents

From left: students Jennifer Pankowski, Michelle DiDomenico and Christine Grausso and Professor Joan Walker discuss their research on ways to involve families of English language learners in elementary education.

As our communities become more diverse, local schools are faced with a slew of challenges, including educating children whose first language is not English and finding ways to communicate with their parents and get them more involved. Joan Walker, an assistant professor of education at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University, is researching strategies to help teachers and parents get past those hurdles. In phase one of the project, Dr. Walker has conducted workshops with teachers at Woodbury district's Park Avenue Elementary School, where 70 percent of students are English language learners, some with a French Creole background.

"It's an interesting mix of language and culture," Dr. Walker said. "We're trying to understand what are the challenges and opportunities that teachers face in working with a population that is different from them." Dr. Walker's research group includes C.W. Post graduate student Jennifer Pankowski and undergraduate education majors Christine Grausso, Michelle DiDomenico and Jennifer Gladitsch. Grausso, 20, of Huntington, N.Y., said being part of the team was a worthwhile experience. "I have acquired a lot of valuable skills which will help me in my own career as an educator," she said. In the spring 2008, Dr. Walker will conduct phase two of her project, which involves meeting with parents and getting their input. Her research so far shows that the school is having success in literacy efforts, such as getting students to read at home.

Parent involvement and communication in other areas are lacking, but Dr. Walker sees this as an opportunity for C.W. Post students to use their skills to better the community. Dr. Walker says she is reaching out to fraternities, sororities and French and Spanish majors to gauge their interest in partnering with the elementary school, which needs services such as translation and child care during school events or meetings. One thing she quickly learned is that many non-English speaking parents do want to get involved - one parent went as far as riding a bicycle in the rain to attend a school function. But they just need some guidance, and Dr. Walker hopes her research one day will become a model for other schools that are looking to build better relationships with families.

Posted: December 3, 2007