As the school 
year progresses and students get used to the new classroom routines, there is something children and parents know will come sooner or later….homework. While my personal view on homework has changed and evolved over time (I have written about it in detail on my blog), I know that ‘in general’ homework, at one point or another, is part of every student’s schooling years.
Late last week, as my dual immersion fourth graders where getting ready to go home, I was half-listening to one of my students as he was asking about a math word problem he needed to complete at home. First, I began with the usual “If you had used your time wisely, you would not be taking any work home.” I then went on and said, “You will have to ask someone at home for help on that problem.” To which my student replied: “Ms. Serrano no one at home speaks Spanish. They will not be able to read the problem. They will not be able to help me.”
Not only did I feel like the worst educator on the phase of the earth, but this also brought me to the point of: Where/How do children get help for homework or ANY other task when he/she is the only one speaking the language at home?
Yes, I have many students whose families are Spanish speakers, but I also have plenty of students whose families do not speak ANY Spanish at all. From that point on, I asked, probed, questioned and questioned again several co-workers and friends who teach at other dual-language schools hoping they would tell me how they do it. It seems that in the lower grades (K-2/3) homework help is not very complicated as children are learning many basic skills (for the most part). However, once children reach fourth grade and up, homework/tasks become a bit more difficult. Many teachers send home every piece of communication in both languages – homework, projects, newsletters, etc. But, how can parents effectively help children when they do not speak the language?
I am taking the time to translate everything I send home (even for what at the beginning I thought was ‘obvious’). I am also sharing the English version and links of our math curriculum as well as science. Additionally, I send weekly emails informing parents about our class happenings: what we are working on, what children are reading, and/or what we are writing about. But, what else can a teacher do? (Again, the homework ‘story’ at the beginning of this post should have never happened).
So, I am really eager to hear from parents. I am looking for both: what has worked and what your frustrations really are. Parents – what have you been doing when something gets home and you have no idea what it means? (Besides using Google translate!). I cannot wait to hear from you.
Much love,
Kelly
Photos by Robert Couse-Baker
Google Translate is a lifesaver in this regard! Although classroom and school-wide communications are always sent in both languages, the homework is not. Now, my son is only in kindergarten, so I’m looking at his classwork after the fact and it’s relatively easy to ascertain what they were going for: “decidir que no le pertenece?” is do-able for now. I look forward to hearing what other non-Spanish speakers are able to do to be effective in helping their kids with homework. Thanks for a relatable topic!!
Exactly…and this is what I’ve been talking to many bilingual and bicultural bloggers about for the last couple of years now. The access to ESL materials and programs of study (usually free) are plentiful for those wanting to learn Ingles. But for those of us who are wanting to learn Spanish as a 2nd language (especially as a 40 yr old adult), yep, good luck. Access to SSL materials and methods of study are limited, and very often is not cheap. Here in Las Vegas where language learning is a joke (despite a large spanish community here), classes at a local private language academy begin at $250, community college classes average in the $500-$700 range, UNLV classes (Univ. of Nevada-Las Vegas) are even more expensive, and private tutors average $30/$40/$50 an hour. Community centers have the basic classes (where’s the bathroom, I want to order a cup of coffee, etc) but as far as something at the intermediate level (for instance, making conversation with your live-in Mexican suegro), you’re SOL. It looks like we’re going to use the OPOL method of teaching spanish to our daughter with my wife speaking spanish only. So I think some of the frustration is, for some of us, wanting to learn, but not really having the good access to the materials to be able to learn.
Hey Erik,
You are absolutely correct. I bought a lot of materials while vacationing in Puerto Rico. Walmart had stuff for grammar, writing and math in spanish for grades Pre-K through 5 grade… I bought everything I can get my hands on and shipped it home… though the material had a website, it was not sold on the website and it was not available on Amazon… Really disappointing…
My daughter’s spanish tutor was ecstatic with all the material.
Rose, if you try to go into a teachers supply store here in this town thinking that you’re going to find some self teaching materials, you will have made a wasted trip. I’ve had to look real hard to find stuff, all online. Even gone as far as to buy used, out of print high school and college textbooks.
Love that you are acknowledging the difficulties of being a parent of an immersion program!
I speak Spanish, but we put our daughter in a Japanese immersion program. It’s the first week of 1st grade & the teacher sent home a paper from class with the only English being “fix, complete, & return.” It was math, but all directions, descriptions, & symbols were in Japanese! I had NO idea. We tried google translate, but seriously, with Japanese symbols? And everything that was circled red for being wrong was in Japanese!
Personally I would’ve loved a post-it note in English on the page. Our teacher sends home English instructions for homework, but not for pages needing to be corrected or completed from class.
It would also help to be sure that students who don’t complete the homework understand what the instructions are. Maybe even a quick review of what they need to complete at the end of the day as a reminder. My daughter did not know what to do.. this is why she didn’t complete it in class.. didn’t understand enough of the Japanese (so she said), and so I couldn’t help her.
Those are some of my thoughts.
Dear Christina,
Thank you SOOO much for sharing. It is always great to hear the ‘other’ side of things not just from teacher-to-teacher or parent-to-parent, but also from parent to teacher. Your frustration makes so much sense and YES!!! (even though I am guilty of this too) children should know what they are supposed to do.
Your comment just opened so many new ideas in my head, and I want to make sure I address them not only with my classroom parents, but also with those who read my posts here and on my blog.
Gracias,
Kelly
My daughter attends a French immersion school, and while I can read “some” French, I’m really bad at pronunciation. She is now in 1st grade, and through out Kindergarten she didn’t have any homework, so I tried to look at her daily work to see what was she working on. This year, the math right now is simple. The writing exercises, however, require me to be able to read and pronounce some words in French. So, I use her to tell me the correct pronunciation of words. That is, I tap on her own knowledge to teach me, so I can help her. I’ll be interested in hearing about some other strategies as she keeps moving up in school.
YES, Eugenia! I have been using my son to teach me as well. It makes him feel so accomplished and then he’s getting the knowledge reinforced and I’m learning! Good reminder to keep that strategy up!
Honestly? If you are monolingual and have no intention of becoming bilingual yourself, the chances that your child will become bilingual are greatly diminished. I’m not saying you have to be fluent, but showing your kids you value the language goes a long way. It’s the same with exercise and eating right. Your actions speak far louder than your words. Show your kids that you value Spanish. If you don’t speak a word, consider it a chance to learn alongside your child!
Laurie,
I could not agree more with you. It is not about ‘one’ being absolutely fluent in the other language, but rather showing the interest and willingness to learn. If we show our kids that we are ‘lifelong’ learners chances are they will see first hand what it is like to be a student (no matter your age).
Learning alongside is SUCH a powerful example.
I have said it many, many times – children learn by example and what a better way that leading with that example at home.
Thank you for your post!
Kelly