I have been working w/ ESL students for 2 1/2 years/ in reading. This is a first time situation & would appreciate suggestions. Student is 8 yr. old 3rd grader. Pre Primer to Primer Briggance scores (from Mexico/in US for approx. 2 yrs). So far - this is typical of lots of my students...thing that is different is complete lack of motivation. In part this is due to lack of emphasis on importance of school from home (her education in Spanish/Mexico was treated w/ indifference too). No learning disabilities & potential is good. Ideas to motivate this little one to care about doing well. She does not have behavior issues - just lack of focus and care - responses to her own successes or challenges are the same....no sparkle....Ideas, please? (Already do sticker charts and that kind of thing...also do special WOW! note/certificates for a great week, etc.)

Welcome to my world! I have the same problem every day, but with classes of up to 35 unmotivated primary aged students.
I figured out some time ago that to provide the motivation, a different approach- rather than the typical ESL protocol- was needed. So I came up with a whole load of hands-on activities and experiments to help my students become engrossed with the subject (by 'subject' I mean ESL, but to the outsider looking in on my classes, they would think I was teaching just about every other subject besides ESL!). You'll find, if you use this approach, that one day something you do will hit the 'spot', even for the most stubborn student. And from there on in, it will be coasting all the way.

It sounds as though your student suffers from the same type of motivational problem as my students: no or little need for the language in her everyday life.