ABSTRACT
Many bright, gifted SLLs have dropped out of school because they sensed rejection and felt alienated from their teachers and peers. Gifted SLLs should learn a second language at an accelerated rate. Organizations with clusters of diverse ethnic groups need to recognize the need for providing their staff with proper professional development that enhances knowledge and increases understanding, awareness, and competence in recognizing characteristics of potentially gifted SLLs. Schools need to provide a healthy, constructive climate where gifted SLLs will grow academically; will develop socially and emotionally; will feel safe; are free to take risks; and are provided a sense of belonging and pride and control over their own learning experience. Gifted SLLs will succeed in school if they understand the academic material. Gifted SLLs are provided appropriate language targets and appropriate cognitive challenges. Hewlett-Gomez maintained that learning strategies are special techniques that help SLLs understand new phenomena.
