Teachers Consider Different Ways to Teach Language, Communication Classes
2020-10-07
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1How can teachers best lead language classes, special education classes, or communication classes while protecting themselves and their students?
2This fall, American teachers are considering that very question.
3With some students coming back to school for classes, teachers have begun experimenting with unusual objects, special kinds of masks or face coverings, and even protective bubbles.
4Stephanie Wanzer is a teacher who works with special education students in Fairfield County, Connecticut.
5Special education is a term for classes with students who have special needs because of physical or learning issues.
6While teaching, Wanzer says she would like students to see her smile, so that they know she is happy.
7But they cannot see her face because of her mask.
8Instead, Wanzer uses an unusual object - a stick with an image of a smile.
9Wanzer recently described working with one student to the Associated Press.
10"I try to be really expressive with my eyes," she said.
11"He's looking at me and I'm not sure if he thinks I'm mad or happy because you can't see my mouth smiling," she said.
12"So I actually have a smile on a stick, which is bizarre, but it's a smile like, 'Look, I'm smiling.'"
13Jon Resendez is a teacher in Irvine, California.
14He teaches civics, the study of the rights and duties of citizens and of how government works.
15His classes started online this year.
16But now that some students are returning to school, he worries about how masks will affect his classes.
17"Part of what I do as a civics teacher is to teach people to engage in civic conversations," he said.
18A conversation is a discussion between two or more people.
19Resendez said he likes to hear a small amount of sound in the class "because if the students are talking, they are thinking."
20Jon Resendez added that an important part of communicating is seeing other people's facial expressions and body language.
21Teaching is especially difficult for those who work with students with hearing difficulties or students who do not speak English as their first language.
22Some sounds can become more difficult to hear when spoken through a mask.
23Deborah Short is president of the TESOL International Association.
24The Virginia-based group connects teachers who teach English to speakers of other languages.
25She said, "For one, the mask might muffle some sounds, making it harder for English learners to distinguish them, such as the sound for 'P' and the sound for 'B.'"
26Short said teachers can reduce these problems by speaking loudly and clearly.
27They also can use videos and images to "show how sounds may be created," she explained.
28Some schools have ordered clear plastic coverings so that students can see teachers' mouths.
29Wanzer said one teacher wore such a mask while working with a student who has hearing difficulties.
30The student said the mask was unnecessary.
31The teacher was happy not to use it, she said, because the plastic material was so uncomfortable.
32Still, teachers and schools are behind the increased demand for clear masks from companies like Baltimore-based ClearMask.
33Allysa Dittmar is ClearMask's co-founder and president.
34The company began making clear masks after Dittmar,
35who is deaf, was unable to communicate well with a traditional mask while undergoing surgery.
36"We see a large need for early childhood education to support young children's social, emotional, and language development, as well as specific programs for students," Dittmar said.
37At the C.B. Jennings International Elementary Magnet School in New London, Connecticut, teachers get carts with protective windows.
38Carts are small wheeled tables that are pushed.
39Teachers can stand behind these carts as they move around the classroom.
40But even while standing behind the carts, many teachers still keep their masks on, noted Elizabeth Sked.
41She added that expressive eyes help teachers connect with students.
42Belinda Williams is a teacher at Webb Elementary School in Franklin, Indiana.
43She said she and her young students have become used to wearing masks, social distancing, and regular hand cleaning.
44Williams put superhero images in her classroom.
45 She tells students they have "special powers" when they are wearing face coverings.
46"Do I wish we didn't have to wear a mask? Absolutely," she said.
47"But if it means teaching our children in person, then I will do what it takes."
48I'm John Russell.
1How can teachers best lead language classes, special education classes, or communication classes while protecting themselves and their students? This fall, American teachers are considering that very question. 2With some students coming back to school for classes, teachers have begun experimenting with unusual objects, special kinds of masks or face coverings, and even protective bubbles. 3Stephanie Wanzer is a teacher who works with special education students in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Special education is a term for classes with students who have special needs because of physical or learning issues. 4While teaching, Wanzer says she would like students to see her smile, so that they know she is happy. But they cannot see her face because of her mask. Instead, Wanzer uses an unusual object - a stick with an image of a smile. Wanzer recently described working with one student to the Associated Press. 5"I try to be really expressive with my eyes," she said. "He's looking at me and I'm not sure if he thinks I'm mad or happy because you can't see my mouth smiling," she said. "So I actually have a smile on a stick, which is bizarre, but it's a smile like, 'Look, I'm smiling.'" 6Jon Resendez is a teacher in Irvine, California. He teaches civics, the study of the rights and duties of citizens and of how government works. 7His classes started online this year. But now that some students are returning to school, he worries about how masks will affect his classes. 8"Part of what I do as a civics teacher is to teach people to engage in civic conversations," he said. A conversation is a discussion between two or more people. 9Resendez said he likes to hear a small amount of sound in the class "because if the students are talking, they are thinking." 10Jon Resendez added that an important part of communicating is seeing other people's facial expressions and body language. 11Teaching is especially difficult for those who work with students with hearing difficulties or students who do not speak English as their first language. 12Some sounds can become more difficult to hear when spoken through a mask. 13Deborah Short is president of the TESOL International Association. The Virginia-based group connects teachers who teach English to speakers of other languages. 14She said, "For one, the mask might muffle some sounds, making it harder for English learners to distinguish them, such as the sound for 'P' and the sound for 'B.'" 15Short said teachers can reduce these problems by speaking loudly and clearly. They also can use videos and images to "show how sounds may be created," she explained. 16Some schools have ordered clear plastic coverings so that students can see teachers' mouths. 17Wanzer said one teacher wore such a mask while working with a student who has hearing difficulties. The student said the mask was unnecessary. The teacher was happy not to use it, she said, because the plastic material was so uncomfortable. 18Still, teachers and schools are behind the increased demand for clear masks from companies like Baltimore-based ClearMask. 19Allysa Dittmar is ClearMask's co-founder and president. The company began making clear masks after Dittmar, who is deaf, was unable to communicate well with a traditional mask while undergoing surgery. 20"We see a large need for early childhood education to support young children's social, emotional, and language development, as well as specific programs for students," Dittmar said. 21At the C.B. Jennings International Elementary Magnet School in New London, Connecticut, teachers get carts with protective windows. Carts are small wheeled tables that are pushed. Teachers can stand behind these carts as they move around the classroom. 22But even while standing behind the carts, many teachers still keep their masks on, noted Elizabeth Sked. She added that expressive eyes help teachers connect with students. 23Belinda Williams is a teacher at Webb Elementary School in Franklin, Indiana. She said she and her young students have become used to wearing masks, social distancing, and regular hand cleaning. 24Williams put superhero images in her classroom. She tells students they have "special powers" when they are wearing face coverings. 25"Do I wish we didn't have to wear a mask? Absolutely," she said. "But if it means teaching our children in person, then I will do what it takes." 26I'm John Russell. 27Shawn Marsh reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. 28_____________________________________________________________ 29Words in This Story 30bubble - n. a tiny, round ball of air or gas inside a liquid; an object resembling a round ball of air or gas inside a liquid 31engage in -- phrasal verb to do (something) 32bizarre - adj. very unusual or strange 33muffle - v. to decrease the noise made by (something) 34distinguish - v. to notice or recognize a difference between people or things 35specific - adj. special or particular 36superhero - n. a fictional character who has amazing powers (such as the ability to fly) 37We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.