Digital Stories and Refugee Immigrants

Winooski Middle School

Beginner’s English Language Learners

“Our Stories”

OverviewMore than 5

million English language learners (ELLs) attend school in the U.S. (Ballantyne, Sanderman, & Levy, 2008)

Some FactsOf 47 million throughout the U.S., 18% speak a

language other than English at home (U.S. Census Bureau, 2003c)

In the West (37%), Midwest (9%), and the South (15%)

California, New Mexico, Texas, New York, Hawaii, Arizona, and New Jersey

Vermont ELL Growth

Who are our English Language learners?

Some have had a rigorous formal education in their native country

Others, particularly refugee children, may have had limited or interrupted formal schooling before coming to the U.S.

“The largest and fastest-growing populations of ELLs in the U.S. consist of students who immigrated before kindergarten and U.S.-born children of immigrants” (Center on Instruction, 2007)

Cultural Views of Foreign-Born English Language Learners

ELLs generally have an idealized view of the U.S.

Unless they have had an opportunity to study U.S. history and culture before arriving, most ELLs are not aware of history, customs, and traditions

In general, ELLs experience their own differences as positive

The Vermont Context2007-2008 school year – approximately 1, 650

ELLs in Vermont

From 1998-99 to 2007-2008, the ELL enrollment in Vermont increased by 81 percent

Vermont ELL students speak over 90 languages and come from 97 countries on 6 continents

Student Digital Stories16 students in the beginner’s English as a

Second Language classroom completed their digital stories

Language groups included Bhutanese, Nepali, Iraqi, Vietnamese, Somali, and Thai

Student Digital Story Project“This I Believe”Short stories,

narratives, biographies, and poetry

Lots and lots of writing!

Lots of Group Work!

Summary of FindingsWriting

improvementValue of writing

revisionCommunity &

Collaboration