What are teacher beliefs and guiding principles about teaching English language learners?
It was not difficult to learn of the beliefs held by the teachers at this school. In each interview, teachers readily explained their reasons for choosing their instructional techniques. Interestingly, the researchers were directed by the headmistress and three other teachers to solicit philosophy and beliefs from two highly respected teachers. The first was a kindergarten teacher who had taught at the school for 27 years. The second was the media resource teacher that served both the primary school and the middle school. These two teachers did, in fact, thoughtfully articulate the beliefs and principles. However, many other teachers stated similar ideas without contradiction. Clearly, ten beliefs were common among the teachers and administrators, presented here in Table 2. Table 2. Teacher and Administrator Beliefs about Literacy Instruction 1.includes listening, speaking, reading and writing 2.uses formal and informal methods 3.is structured and unstructured 4.is developmental 5.is h
