This weekend I was getting a pedicure..which I do a few times a year. Most of the employees there speak enough English to get by, but it can be difficult to understand. As I was sitting back, answering her questions..I realized that I really couldn't understand what she said, but through the experience of getting pedicures in the past..and her gestures..I knew exactly what she meant.
As I was sitting there..I had an "ah-ha" moment. This is exactly what my ELL ( English Language Learner) students experience! They may act like they understand what you are saying, and some may. However, they become so used to the routine in school that they are able to follow along with the motions. As a teacher of ELL students, I am constantly pointing, or demonstrating with my hands.
Moral of the story: Pedicures can be a learning experience! :-)
On another note:
In regards to protests currently going on in Egypt, my sweet first grader from Egypt said to me this morning, " Mrs. Adams, Egypt is broken."
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/30/egypt.what.next/
