The population of the United States continues to become increasingly diverse, both culturally and linguistically. In less than two decades, one half of the students in the United States will be non-white and Latino, with one quarter of the total student body speaking a language other than English (Garcia 2002). Presently in the United States, at least 17% of the 5- to 24-year-old population speaks a native language other than English, and at least 8% of students receive English language services in school (NCES 2003). To better meet the needs of English language learners, science teachers must learn to use student-centered strategies, such as cooperative learning and inquiry, to make science meaningful and comprehensible to all students. This chapter focuses on strategies you can use to enable all students to be successful while embracing the added diversity in your classroom.
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Type Book ChapterPub Date 1/1/2009Stock # PB247X_8