About the Expert This is an interview with Dr. Peggy Semingson, an experienced bilingual teacher who is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at Arlington. Her PhD is from the University of Texas at Austin in the field of Language and Literacy Studies.
Reflection Questions
Do teachers need to speak the home language of their students to be successful?
How can a teacher’s attitude specifically help students in the bilingual classroom?
What role does vocabulary play for students learning English as an additional language?
Why do some children perform better than others when learning a new language?
How can teachers support students who are learning English in a classroom where most of the children have English as their first language?
Take-Aways from Video
A large range of classroom settings for children learning English as a second language exist.
A safe environment is essential for students to feel comfortable with a new language.
Acknowledging the language and culture of a child learning English is supportive as it acknowledges the value of the child’s background.
Both beginners and more advanced students learning English often lack academic vocabulary.
Language in Early Childhood 
