This action research study is about a young English
language learner who was labeled learning disabled.
I wanted to find out whether the use of a culturally
familiar teaching method, used by the mother in her
home, would allow this child to be able to learn
more easily. The research project took approximately
six weeks and included two interviews: one with a
child s mother and another with a Chinese EFL
teacher.
Following the interviews, I observed the mother
teaching vocabulary to her child, and then the
mother observed me. We then compared notes. As a
result of the study I came to the realization that
the rote learning strategy that was used by the
mother works well with this child in an elementary
level of schooling. Close communication with the
mother gave me a better understanding of the motives
intentions of an immigrant mother. This project gave
us an opportunity to learn from each other and use
this experience in our work.
language learner who was labeled learning disabled.
I wanted to find out whether the use of a culturally
familiar teaching method, used by the mother in her
home, would allow this child to be able to learn
more easily. The research project took approximately
six weeks and included two interviews: one with a
child s mother and another with a Chinese EFL
teacher.
Following the interviews, I observed the mother
teaching vocabulary to her child, and then the
mother observed me. We then compared notes. As a
result of the study I came to the realization that
the rote learning strategy that was used by the
mother works well with this child in an elementary
level of schooling. Close communication with the
mother gave me a better understanding of the motives
intentions of an immigrant mother. This project gave
us an opportunity to learn from each other and use
this experience in our work.