Learning Difficulty or Cultural Difference?

This action research study is about a young English language learner who was labeled learning disabled. I wanted to find out whether the use of a culturally familiar teaching method, used by the mother in her home, would allow this child to be able to learn more easily. The research project took approximately six weeks and included two interviews: one with a child's mother and another with a Chinese EFL teacher. Following the interviews, I observed the mother teaching vocabulary to her child, and then the mother observed me. We then compared notes. As a result of the study I came to the realization that the rote learning strategy that was used by the mother works well with this child in an elementary level of schooling. Close communication with the mother gave me a better understanding of the motives intentions of an immigrant mother. This project gave us an opportunity to learn from each other and use this experience in our work.