Julia Musheyev:
Hi everyone, my name is Julia Musheyev, and I'm your host today. We're going to talk about something really important: why non-traditional learning experiences are necessary for students whose first language isn’t English.
In this episode, I’ll be speaking with some of my classmates about their personal school experiences and what learning methods have helped them the most. Let’s get started.
First, let’s hear from our first guest, Peter.
Peter Gentilini:
Hi, everyone. My name is Peter Gentilini. I'm a freshman here at Adelphi, and I’m really excited to talk about this topic today.
Julia Musheyev:
Thank you, Peter. Next up, we have Allison.
Allison Gregory:
Hi! I'm Allison Gregory, a sophomore at Adelphi, and I’m also really happy to be here.
Julia Musheyev:
Thanks, Allison. And next we have Moreille.
Moreille Litimco:
Hello, my name is Moreille Litimco. I'm a freshman at Adelphi.
Julia Musheyev:
Thanks, Moreille.
So today’s topic is: Why are non-traditional learning experiences important for students who aren’t native English speakers? This is a really important subject, especially as more and more languages are spoken in classrooms today.
It’s important to make sure all students feel heard and are able to learn and express themselves in ways that work for them.
With that in mind, I have a few questions for you all.
First question: Can you describe a time when traditional classroom learning was difficult because of a language barrier?
Allison Gregory:
As someone whose first language is English and who’s been learning Spanish since middle school, I’ve always found traditional methods—like sentence structure exercises—kind of hard.
For me and many other learners, using visuals in the classroom has really helped. The traditional classroom setting often feels too rigid and just didn’t work for learning a second language, at least not for me.
Julia Musheyev:
Yes, I totally agree with that. Thank you, Allison.
Anyone else?
Moreille Litimco:
I just want to add on to what Allison said. In today’s world, it’s so important to use different kinds of images or visuals along with language.
You can read something in a textbook over and over, but you might not fully understand it until you see it in action—like in real life or in a video.
When you see someone speaking a different language—or even your own language—it helps you understand how people are actually supposed to communicate. That connection makes a big difference.
Julia Musheyev:
Yes, thank you. That’s a great point.
Okay, next question:
Have you ever learned something better through videos, games, or group activities instead of using a textbook?
Peter Gentilini:
For me, I have a hard time visualizing things. So when I get the chance to watch a movie or an episode related to what I’m learning, it really helps things click.
I can read a story once or twice, but I won’t fully get it until I can match what I’m reading with a picture or visual. Once I have that visual piece, I can finally understand it fully.
Julia Musheyev:
Yes, thank you, Peter.
Moreille Litimco:
To add on, I don’t really like reading textbooks that much. So for me, videos and group activities help me understand what’s going on better.
Allison Gregory:
Yeah, I agree. I’m definitely more of a visual learner than reading, but yeah. Yeah. I agree. I think our generation is kind of moving into that too. Like we kind of look for like a YouTube video to explain something just because it's a lot easier to comprehend something when you're listening and also reading the words and having a visual at the same time. All of that really helps you to understand the concepts even more.
Julia Musheyev:
Next question. How do you feel when you're learning in a way that fits your language or culture?
Moreille Litimco:
Right. I think it's very validating because you're not being asked to leave a part of yourself in the classroom. Like you're learning with your whole identity, not just a part that fits the standard language.
Julia Musheyev:
So the last question that I have for you guys is: What could schools do to make learning easier and more welcoming for non-native English speakers?
Peter Gentilini:
Wow, that's a great question, Julia. I feel like this is such a big thing that we need to start incorporating more in the classroom because nowadays classroom is so variable, varied. Like there's so many different students, so many different languages used, and I'm not like—a traditional way of learning just doesn't work anymore 'cause not everyone learns the same way, speaks the same languages.
So I really think that schools should start incorporating not just like a classroom that has two languages like thrown in here and there, but I feel like a class that operates in both languages maybe. So you don't only speak the one language, but you try to incorporate both as much as you can. So you can—if you're in a younger class, you can teach lessons that have both languages going on at once. Like you can read a story or a news article once in English, once in Spanish or side by side so that the students could connect the words and connect the phrases in their own languages and learn both languages at the same time really.

So English speakers can learn some Spanish and Spanish speakers can learn some English, and they can both really come together and work on their languaging abilities.
Julia Musheyev:
Wow. Thank you, Peter, for that response. Anyone else?
Moreille Litimco:
To add on, I think like including books, histories and examples that reflect the students’ cultures and experience is also a good way. Cause I feel like when students see their own culture in the material, the engagement and the understanding grows.
Allison Gregory:
I agree with that.
Julia Musheyev:
Awesome. Thank you.
Moreille Litimco:
Thank you. It’s a great topic.
Peter Gentilini:
I’m glad we were able to talk about our thoughts on it, 'cause I feel like more people need to be educated on this topic to make the world a better place.
Allison Gregory:
Agreed.
Julia Musheyev:
OK. Thank you so much for listening to our podcast. See you next time.
All:
Bye!