The Academic Events Group, 17TH World Conference on Educational Sciences

Font Size: 
Adapting teachers to work effectively with language teaching assistants (LTAs) in bilingual education in Spain
Iulia Vescan, Angela Sauciuc, Jesus Garcia Laborda

Last modified: 2024-10-05

Abstract


Adapting teachers to work effectively with language teaching assistants (LTAs) in bilingual education in Spain involves several strategies. Here are key ways to foster a smooth collaboration:  1. Clarify Roles and Responsibilities It's important to define the role of the LTA and the teacher clearly. LTAs typically support language learning through oral communication activities, pronunciation practice, and cultural exchange. Teachers should handle core instructional tasks and curriculum design. Clarifying these roles helps avoid confusion.  2. Encourage Collaboration Regular meetings between teachers and LTAs allow them to plan lessons together, decide on teaching strategies, and discuss student progress. Collaboration strengthens teamwork, making the classroom more cohesive and effective for students.  3. Provide Professional Development Training sessions for teachers on how to work with LTAs and incorporate them into the classroom are essential. Workshops on team teaching, communication strategies, and maximizing the LTA’s role help create a smoother dynamic.  4. Promote Cultural Exchange LTAs often come from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Teachers should embrace this and incorporate it into lessons. This enriches the students' cultural understanding while reinforcing the language learning process.  5. Feedback and Reflection Encourage ongoing feedback from both LTAs and teachers. This could involve post-lesson reflections or regular review sessions to adjust strategies and improve collaboration.  6. Involve LTAs in Student Engagement LTAs can lead small group activities, provide language support, and engage students in informal conversations to improve their confidence in speaking a second language.  7. Respect Differences in Teaching Styles LTAs and teachers may have different approaches to education. Teachers should respect these differences and integrate various techniques to benefit students, leveraging LTAs' native language skills and cultural knowledge.  By implementing these strategies, teachers can effectively adapt to working with language teaching assistants, enhancing the bilingual education experience for students.

Conference registration is required in order to view papers.