With a different language, culture and practices, many east African children who arrive in Minnesota need practical instruction to orient with their new environment.
Enter the Newcomer Program at Banaadir Academy, a class that helps students in third through eighth grades where students learn the English language, and how to be an American student, explains English
Language Learner Coordinator Rani Hayden. “Some of them get lost. They sit in regular classroom where the language is bombarding you, and you have no idea what’s being said. They will either sit there and try to follow along or get in trouble, because they get bored,” she said. Hayden coordinates ELL activities for multiple MTS schools.
Two Banaadir ELL teachers, Andrea Miller and Tom Tesch, help the students learn basic etiquette, such as raising a hand to speak, forming a line and listening to others’ opinions.
Some children have had gaps in their education, and the school adapts its approach to get them up to speed. Progress is measured by annual Access tests.
A paraprofessional assists with reading and writing, and the students use language software to boost vocabulary and speaking abilities.
Students and teachers practice mutual respect for cultural differences, Hayden explains.
The coordinator said that when the kids first come, it’s often harder for them to adapt to the teachers than for the teachers to adapt to them.
One thing that Banaadir has in its favor is a large amount of parent involvement. Scheduled family nights typically draw more than half of parents in to talk with teachers and engage with the school. Hayden has been with Banaadir since it opened in 2007.
