Teaching dual language learners in the preschool classroom is not always easy.

I taught this population exclusively for 20 years and I have met obstacles along the way — like every other teacher who’s done it before me—.

However, there ARE ways to make it easier on yourself and your students.

And to discuss that, I have invited this week’s guest, the brilliant Maria Mercedes Champion.

Maria Mercedes is an enthusiastic bilingual preschool teacher with nearly two decades of experience in the classroom.

She has served as a program coordinator and a bilingual facilitator for her district’s kinder reading program.

And today, she’s here to talk about how to teach ESL students.

Ready to learn more? 

Dive in now!

Key Takeaways:

Teaching dual language learners in the preschool classroom (00:00)

Meet Maria Mercedes (02:46)

What if I don’t speak my students’ native language? (03:48)

My experience in South Korea (06:58)

Should children speak their native language in the classroom? (16:09)

Do you need a translator in the classroom? (22:56)

Learning a second language can help you in more ways than one (30:31)

How to help your ESL students feel more included in the classroom (34:03)

Additional Resources:

- Visit our website to find tons of pre-K teaching resources here.

- Get my book “Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers”.

- Learn more about my exclusive mentorship program, “Teaching Trailblazers”.

- Learn more about Maria Mercedes here.

Elevating Early Childhood is an early education podcast dedicated to helping Pre-K, Preschool, and Kindergarten teachers teach better, save time, and live more.

If you enjoy the podcast, please follow, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.

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Teaching Trailblazers

Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers