Learning through Writing

This chapter considers those pupils in the class whose mother tongue is not English. English speaking children frequently use the words steam and smoke synonymously, but at least we have the two words available to separate out the two different ideas. The English language word burn confuses two totally different concepts: the endothermic decomposition of organic matter by the action of heat, and exothermic reaction between oxygen and a fuel. The language of science is going to be strange to all learners when it is first introduced, even native speakers of English will struggle with new concepts, so visual aids and stimuli are important for all learners, to accompany words. The flipped classroom approach will be particularly important for English as a Second Language (ESL) learner – they can hear, see and read the material, in English but at their own pace at home and come to the class well prepared with opportunities to practise descriptions and explanations using English.