For more information and parent guides, please visit our official website, Parent School Guide for English Learners: https://esl.institute/parentschoolguide/
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!
For more information and parent guides, please visit our official website, Parent School Guide for English Learners: https://esl.institute/parentschoolguide/
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