Working with Somali Students by Kathy Runchey Kathy is an ESL teacher at Lyndale Community School in Minneapolis. She wrote this piece for teachers working at newly designated Somali sites. When mainstream or specialist classes receive several Somali English language learners, or when Somali students comprise the majority of ESL classes, certain instructional adjustments might have to be made.
Every moment has to be planned.
Given free time or a behavior choice, the new Somali student often chooses loud, physical play, singing, or shouting as a way to pass down time or time not structured. Students may need socialization skills. Behaving in a group and doing things like turn taking is rare for the new Somali. You may observe accusations about name calling or theft from one student to another. There is usually an agent involved in any loss.