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          According to Carol S. Dweck's book "Mindset," a growth mindset is important because it influences how we face challenges, learn, grow, and achieve success in life. By adopting a growth mindset, we can develop our potential and overcome obstacles more effectively. As I read, there's a quote by Ph.D. Carol S. Dweck: "When we teach people the growth mindset with its focus on development, these ideas about challenge and effort follow" (Dweck, C. S., 2006, p. 10). In the book, Dweck presents two main types of mindset:

Fixed Mindset: People with a fixed mindset believe that their abilities and capabilities are inherently fixed and limited. They see challenges as threats to their self-image and often avoid situations where they might make mistakes. They fear failure because they view it as confirmation of their lack of innate ability.

Growth Mindset: People with a growth mindset believe that their abilities and capabilities can be developed through effort, practice, and perseverance. They see challenges as opportunities for learning and are willing to face them. They believe they can improve over time and are open to learning from their mistakes.

The importance of a growth mindset lies in several key aspects:

Fosters Resilience - Teaching Coping Skills: It provides students with tools and strategies to deal with stress, frustration, and adversity. This may include practicing self-reflection with activities in the first hour of classes.

Promotes Continuous Learning: Teaching students that their skills and abilities can improve with effort and practice. Using learning journals: Children who maintain a journal in which they write or draw about their daily experiences. This helps them practice writing in both languages and reflect on what they have learned.

Fosters Innovation: Encouraging bilingual communication: Encouraging children to express themselves in both languages during creative activities such as independent research projects in which children choose research topics that interest them and present them orally in English and Spanish.

Improving Performance: Enhancing the performance of bilingual students involves addressing various aspects of their academic and linguistic development. Constantly monitor students' progress and adjust activities and materials based on their language needs. Regular feedback is essential for their improvement. Conduct individual interviews: Conduct regular interviews with students in both languages to assess their oral fluency and comprehension. This also allows you to identify areas for improvement.

Using the power of "yet" to encourage learning and growth with bilingual students involves fostering a growth mindset in them. To promote a growth mindset in bilingual students, you can use:

Inspirational Literature: Books, articles, and biographies of successful individuals who have overcome similar challenges.

Motivational Videos: Incorporate motivational videos that highlight the importance of effort and a growth mindset.

Positive Reinforcement: Recognize and praise students' efforts and continuous improvement in both languages. This reinforces the idea that growth is valuable and achievable.The growth mindset can have a significant impact on bilingual children by fostering greater confidence. It encourages self-confidence by helping them understand that they can improve and master both languages as they put in effort and practice. This reduces anxiety related to language learning. The growth mindset can be a powerful tool to empower bilingual children and help them make the most of their ability to communicate in two languages. It enables them to embrace language learning as a continuous and enriching process, which can have a positive impact on their linguistic and personal development.

 

References : 

1. Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success (p. 10).

2. Blackwell, Trzesniewski, and Dweck (2007). "The growth mindset has been positively associated with learning and personal development" (p. 123).

3. Forbes Coaches Council. (2021, April 26). How to Use the Power of Yet to Encourage Learning and Growth. Forbes. URL: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2021/04/26/how-to-use-the-power-of-yet-to-encourage-learning-and-growth/?sh=41b4075c73e1

4. (2023, August 31). How to Develop a Growth Mindset [Video]. YouTube. The Growth Mindset | Carol Dweck | Talks at Google