E: Additional Factors Affecting the Canadian-Born LearnerKeep in mind that many of the issues facing ESL learners are also true for Canadian-born ESL or English-as-a-Second Dialect (ESD) learners. Motivation, personality, energy levels as well as family and economic issues also play a dominant role in the learning process. There are, however, additional concerns that need to be addressed with Canadian-born Aboriginal learners. Historical Issues While many Aboriginal learners have been successful in the school system, some have not. Some of this is due to the effects of the residential school system. Dianne Hill, in her written works, discusses her grandmothers' experience in the residential school system where she was:
The impact residential schools had did not stop with her grandmother. "Great feelings of loneliness and shame came to live in my grandmother. After she left residential school, married and had my mother, well, then she passed on all of those experiences in the form of her behavior onto my mother who then turned around and did the same thing to me. I learned loneliness and shame from my mother." 13 Contemporary Issues Even today, Aboriginal learners are obliged to be part of a school
system that has a much different value system than their own
culture promotes. The information provided illustrates some of the fundamental
differences between 13 Dianne Hill,
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