Parent-Teacher Communication Guide for English Learners
5 Helpful Dialogues Between Parents and Teachers
Dialogue 1: Asking About Academic Progress
Parent: Good afternoon, Ms. Johnson. Thank you for meeting with me. How is Maria doing in your class?
Teacher: Hello! I’m so glad you came in. Maria is doing very well overall. She’s working hard in math and her reading is improving every week.
Parent: That’s wonderful to hear! Are there any subjects where she needs more help?
Teacher: She sometimes struggles with writing assignments, but that’s completely normal. Her ideas are great – she just needs practice organizing her thoughts on paper.
Parent: How can I help her with writing at home?
Teacher: You could encourage her to write about her day in a journal, even just a few sentences. Reading together also helps with writing skills. Would you like me to send home some simple writing activities?
Parent: Yes, please! I want to support her learning. Should I help her in English or is it okay to use our home language too?
Teacher: Both languages are valuable! You can discuss ideas in your home language, and then she can practice writing them in English. This actually strengthens both languages.
Dialogue 2: Discussing Homework and Home Support
Parent: Hello, Mr. Chen. I’m worried because homework is very difficult for me to help with. My English is not perfect.
Teacher: I completely understand, and I really appreciate that you want to help! You don’t need perfect English to support your child’s learning.
Parent: What can I do if I don’t understand the homework?
Teacher: Great question! You can help by making sure he has a quiet place to work and a regular homework time. You can also ask him to explain his work to you – teaching helps children learn better.
Parent: Should I try to help even if I might make mistakes?
Teacher: Absolutely! Your involvement shows him that education is important. If you’re unsure about something, you can write a note saying “We tried this together but weren’t sure.” I’m always happy to clarify.
Parent: That makes me feel better. Are there other ways I can help at home?
Teacher: Yes! You can help by asking about his school day, making sure he reads every night, and celebrating his efforts. Your support and encouragement are the most important things.
Dialogue 3: Understanding Behavior and Social Development
Parent: Good morning, Mrs. Garcia. I wanted to ask about how Ana behaves in class. At home, she’s very quiet about school.
Teacher: I’m glad you asked! Ana is a thoughtful, kind student. She follows directions well and is respectful to her classmates.
Parent: Does she participate in class discussions?
Teacher: She’s still building confidence to speak up in large groups, which is very normal for students learning English. She participates more in small group activities.
Parent: Is this something I should worry about?
Teacher: Not at all! She’s making steady progress. Some children need more time to feel comfortable speaking in their second language, and that’s perfectly okay.
Parent: How can I encourage her to be more confident?
Teacher: At home, you can practice conversations about school, ask open-ended questions about her day, and praise her when she shares her thoughts. Building confidence takes time, but she’s doing great.
Parent: Should I encourage her to make more friends?
Teacher: She has good friendships here. Sometimes quiet children prefer having a few close friends rather than many. I can let you know about school activities where she might meet children with similar interests.
Dialogue 4: Asking About Special Programs and Opportunities
Parent: Hello, Ms. Davis. I heard about some special programs at school. Can you tell me what’s available for my son?
Teacher: Of course! We have several programs that might interest him. There’s an after-school tutoring program, a science club, and art classes.
Parent: What is the tutoring program?
Teacher: It’s free extra help with homework and reading. Teachers work with small groups of students for one hour after school, three days a week.
Parent: That sounds perfect! How do I sign him up?
Teacher: I’ll give you the enrollment form today. The program starts next week, and transportation is provided by the school bus.
Parent: Are there programs for students learning English?
Teacher: Yes! We have an English Language Learner support class where students get extra practice with English while learning about different subjects. It’s during the regular school day.
Parent: Will this help him keep up with his grade level?
Teacher: Absolutely! The ELL program is designed to help students succeed in all their classes while building English skills. Many of our students have found it very helpful.
Dialogue 5: Planning for the Future and Setting Goals
Parent: Good afternoon, Mr. Thompson. I want to discuss my daughter’s future and how we can help her succeed.
Teacher: I love that you’re thinking ahead! Your daughter is doing well, and there are many ways we can support her continued growth.
Parent: What should we focus on this year?
Teacher: Let’s work on building her confidence in math and continuing to strengthen her reading skills. She’s already showing great improvement in both areas.
Parent: What can I do during summer vacation to help her stay on track?
Teacher: Reading is the most important thing! Visit the public library – they have free programs and books in many languages. Simple math practice like cooking measurements or counting money also helps.
Parent: Are there opportunities for advanced students?
Teacher: Yes! Next year she might be ready for the gifted and talented program. I’ll make sure to recommend her when applications open in the spring.
Parent: How can I prepare her for middle school?
Teacher: We’ll work together on organization skills and independent learning. The most important thing is continuing to show that you value education and supporting her efforts.
Parent: Thank you for all your help. I feel much more confident about supporting her.
Teacher: You’re doing a wonderful job as a parent. Please don’t hesitate to contact me anytime with questions!
Essential Vocabulary for Parent-Teacher Communication
Academic Terms
- Academic progress – How well a student is learning and improving
- Grade level – The expected skills for students of a certain age/grade
- Assignment – Work given to students to complete
- Assessment – Tests or evaluations of student learning
- Curriculum – The subjects and topics taught in school
- Standards – Learning goals that students should meet
- Skills – Abilities like reading, writing, math, or problem-solving
Communication Phrases
- “How is my child doing?” – General question about student progress
- “What can I do to help at home?” – Asking for ways to support learning
- “I don’t understand…” – Asking for clarification
- “Could you please explain…” – Polite way to ask for more information
- “I’m concerned about…” – Expressing worries appropriately
- “Thank you for your help” – Showing appreciation
- “Please let me know if…” – Offering to stay informed
School Programs and Services
- Tutoring – Extra help with schoolwork
- ELL (English Language Learner) – Program for students learning English
- Special education – Services for students with learning differences
- Gifted and talented – Program for advanced students
- After-school programs – Activities that happen after regular school hours
- Parent-teacher conference – Meeting between parents and teachers
- School counselor – Person who helps with academic and personal guidance
Supportive Actions
- Encourage – Give support and confidence
- Practice – Do something repeatedly to improve
- Review – Look at work again to check or study
- Participate – Take part in activities
- Communicate – Share information and ideas
- Collaborate – Work together toward a goal
- Support – Help and assist
Helpful Questions to Ask Teachers
- “What are my child’s strengths?”
- “Where does my child need improvement?”
- “How can I help with homework?”
- “What should my child read at home?”
- “Are there any concerns I should know about?”
- “What programs might benefit my child?”
- “How can I communicate with you if questions arise?”
- “What should I expect for next year?”
Tips for Successful Communication
- Prepare questions in advance – Write down what you want to ask
- Bring a translator if needed – Many schools provide interpreters
- Take notes during meetings – This helps you remember important information
- Ask for written summaries – Request important information in writing
- Follow up – Contact teachers if you have additional questions
- Stay positive – Focus on working together for your child’s success
- Be patient with yourself – Learning to communicate in a new language takes time
Remember: Teachers want to work with you to help your child succeed. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or ask for help!