Are English Learners Gifted and Talented?

Can English Learners also be Gifted Learners?

Below is a work sample for Daria T, a 3rd grader from Blair who has been learning in two languages since 2nd grade when she joined the School District of Waukesha. Powerful Universal Instruction included learning English AS a Language, Daria’s writing reflects in one year, a complexity and depth which may indicate a particular talent.

At SDW, we refer to students who are bringing two languages to learning as Linguistically Talented, rather than as having a deficit in “not enough English”. The bilingual endeavor in and of itself requires tremendous consolidation of language, content concepts, worldviews and the interface of cultural ways of knowing that come from both home and wider culture.

Identifying giftedness is a challenge because our assessment and productive learning paradigms that are either an English only or another language, mostly Spanish.  Rarely do we consider the sum total of bilingualism and biliteracy being a greater capacity of a monolingual paradigm.

How might you maximize the giftedness of our Linguistically Talented Students?

1. Study and Identify your BIAS. How might your bias impact the opportunity to learn? Take a Survey
2. Learn More Link
3. Know your students from a language acquisition perspective
4. Consult your GT staff person at your School:
1. Banting: Nicole Zeroth
2. Heyer: Yazmin Duran
3. Blair: Tricia Perez
4. Bethesda: Carrie Driscoll