English Language Fellow Kayla Devenburg partnered with local English professors to brainstorm ideas about the “Habits of Successful Language Learners.” Devenburg provided ideas for effectively supporting their beginner students in producing written advice in their second language. Students’ sentences were then included on the English language bulletin board in the front entryway of the bilingual preparatory school, La Escuela Normal.
When students, teachers, parents, administrators, and visitors see the English bulletin board, they are reminded of the dual-language education students receive. By including student writing, contributors feel proud that they are using English. For this particular topic, students examined their own language learning habits and adopted some new ones. Speaking English as a second language is a valuable asset in Panama and provides social and economic mobility for these current students and future teachers.