We had over forty students express an interest in book club this session. So many students, in fact, that we created four separate sections of book club, divided by English proficiency level.
The first meeting yesterday was for the upper intermediate/advanced group. They seemed very intrigued by the story line (The Picture of Dorian Gray) and we got into a few really interesting discussions about the subject matter. I think this particular group is going to need more of a challenge, so I think we'll read some biographical information about Oscar Wilde and talk about how his personal experiences may have colored his writing.
Today we have a meeting for students who are in the lower levels. We will be reading The Elephant Man, again an Oxford leveled reader. I have successfully taught this book to lower levels before. It is listed as a level 1, but some of the themes and ideas are a bit advanced for new English speakers. However, the plot is intriguing enough to get them involved.
At any rate, it looks like it is shaping up to be a great session for book club. Stay tuned for more updates.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
The end of another session approaches...
We're coming to the end of another session and it's almost time to assess the Individualized Education Plans. Since a colleague and I are hoping to present on this topic at TESOL 2012 (proposal submitted), it's time to start figuring out whether they actually work or not - and if not, what can be done in order to modify them or update them so that the students find them more helpful in the future.
We're also trying a new incentive program to reward those students who completed IEPs and followed through on them for the session - SALC All-Stars. I had fun designing an invitation for them and we plan to host a pizza party for the students on the All-Stars list.
We're also trying a new incentive program to reward those students who completed IEPs and followed through on them for the session - SALC All-Stars. I had fun designing an invitation for them and we plan to host a pizza party for the students on the All-Stars list.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Individualized Education Plans / Cracking Down on English Only
We have had so many changes in the SALC this session, and they seem to have been having a very positive impact.
First, we have implemented Individualized Education Plans for students. They can fill these education plans out either individually or through teacher referral. Essentially, the plan asks the student to assess their own learning goals and set forth a plan to follow for the session. At the end of the session, we will ask students to evaluate their progress on those goals.
Additionally, we're really trying to crack down on English usage in the lab - or more accurately, NON-English usage in the lab. We are rewarding students who use English in their speech or as they are navigating the Internet. Overall, this has really seemed to step up the level of instructional usage in the lab and I'm really pleased with the results.
First, we have implemented Individualized Education Plans for students. They can fill these education plans out either individually or through teacher referral. Essentially, the plan asks the student to assess their own learning goals and set forth a plan to follow for the session. At the end of the session, we will ask students to evaluate their progress on those goals.
Additionally, we're really trying to crack down on English usage in the lab - or more accurately, NON-English usage in the lab. We are rewarding students who use English in their speech or as they are navigating the Internet. Overall, this has really seemed to step up the level of instructional usage in the lab and I'm really pleased with the results.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Two sessions later, the blog has suffered
In the day-to-day rush of attempting to get things accomplished, this blog has suffered from some serious neglect.
There have been developments in the SALC here at ELI. We had our first successful Karaoke event - thanks to lots of participation and encouragement from our singing teachers. Another Karaoke day is planned for this Friday, so I am hoping for even more attendance.
Book club has been going well, but still seems unable to generate more than a few participants. Those participants find it incredibly helpful, but trying to find a time when everyone is available has proven to be quite a challenge.
The course objectives database, which is searchable by class and type of objective, is progressing nicely. When demonstrated at the faculty meeting ,teachers seemed to be interested in this as a teaching tool, and I have received several links from teachers since then pointing me to some great online resources.
As my desire to learn more about the technology that is available for English Language Learners grows, so does my understanding that I really need to find a good professional organization to join - I am planning to do a bit of research and perhaps join IALLT.
Lots to think about, and even more to do....
There have been developments in the SALC here at ELI. We had our first successful Karaoke event - thanks to lots of participation and encouragement from our singing teachers. Another Karaoke day is planned for this Friday, so I am hoping for even more attendance.
Book club has been going well, but still seems unable to generate more than a few participants. Those participants find it incredibly helpful, but trying to find a time when everyone is available has proven to be quite a challenge.
The course objectives database, which is searchable by class and type of objective, is progressing nicely. When demonstrated at the faculty meeting ,teachers seemed to be interested in this as a teaching tool, and I have received several links from teachers since then pointing me to some great online resources.
As my desire to learn more about the technology that is available for English Language Learners grows, so does my understanding that I really need to find a good professional organization to join - I am planning to do a bit of research and perhaps join IALLT.
Lots to think about, and even more to do....
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
New session, new students
We're already in the second week of a new session and it feels like we never even had a break. We're continuing many of our programs in the SALC this session and I'm hoping that we receive a stronger student response on some of them. Last session, several of our efforts were only moderately attended (book club) or not attended at all (movie club), despite students expressing an interest in these clubs.
Our students seem to be pressed for time and energy and are reticent to add yet another activity to their already full plates. I'm hoping that, over time, we can convince students of the benefits of these activities and they will see them as a helpful addition to their language learning process.
________
Last week, I attended a University meeting on ePortfolios. I am hoping that, perhaps, ELI will become interested in keeping ePortfolios for our students. I think it would be a great way for students to track their progress in learning English, and would give them ready-made evidence of their accomplishments.
Our students seem to be pressed for time and energy and are reticent to add yet another activity to their already full plates. I'm hoping that, over time, we can convince students of the benefits of these activities and they will see them as a helpful addition to their language learning process.
________
Last week, I attended a University meeting on ePortfolios. I am hoping that, perhaps, ELI will become interested in keeping ePortfolios for our students. I think it would be a great way for students to track their progress in learning English, and would give them ready-made evidence of their accomplishments.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
World Plaza
Well, we held the first World Plaza event last week. I heard the idea mentioned in brief on a website for an SALC in Asia, and decided to flesh it out a bit and make it into a reality here in our SALC.
I organized it for the first time with my students in drama class, since I had a captive audience there who would need to participate for a grade. We made our first travel destination "The United States", which we thought made sense for a variety of reasons, not the least of which that it is their host country.
The students created skits based on certain areas of the U.S. For example, the students who chose Orlando wrote a skit in which Mickey and Minnie from California's Disneyland came to visit Florida. The students who chose Hawaii had a honeymooning couple being taken on a tour of the island by a guide. Overall, they were very creative and gave great performances as well as lots of information on their destination of choice.
Before the event, to publicize, I passed out airline tickets with the date and time of the event. We also had passports available for all students who attended - those who watched received one stamp and those who presented received three. A full passport will get them prized (gift cards and the like).
After the event, quite a few students said that they would like to present about their home country with their friends, so I am hoping this is an idea that moves forward of its own accord. If not, I will plan another event with my drama class next session and carry it forward that way. It may take awhile to get this to become an integral part of the SALC and the ELI, but I think it could definitely happen.
I organized it for the first time with my students in drama class, since I had a captive audience there who would need to participate for a grade. We made our first travel destination "The United States", which we thought made sense for a variety of reasons, not the least of which that it is their host country.
The students created skits based on certain areas of the U.S. For example, the students who chose Orlando wrote a skit in which Mickey and Minnie from California's Disneyland came to visit Florida. The students who chose Hawaii had a honeymooning couple being taken on a tour of the island by a guide. Overall, they were very creative and gave great performances as well as lots of information on their destination of choice.
Before the event, to publicize, I passed out airline tickets with the date and time of the event. We also had passports available for all students who attended - those who watched received one stamp and those who presented received three. A full passport will get them prized (gift cards and the like).
After the event, quite a few students said that they would like to present about their home country with their friends, so I am hoping this is an idea that moves forward of its own accord. If not, I will plan another event with my drama class next session and carry it forward that way. It may take awhile to get this to become an integral part of the SALC and the ELI, but I think it could definitely happen.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Open House a Success - More Teachers Wanted!
The open house on Friday was a success. Many faculty and staff from all over University of Delaware came to see our new facilities.
I had also sent out an email to ELI faculty members to see if they would be interested in coming into the SALC to check out the language learning software to see what it does so that they could better be able to send their students in for help on a specific software in the lab.
We had several teachers come in to preview the software, but not nearly as many as I had hoped. In an ideal world, wouldn't everyone just be dying to know what resources we have available?
I had also sent out an email to ELI faculty members to see if they would be interested in coming into the SALC to check out the language learning software to see what it does so that they could better be able to send their students in for help on a specific software in the lab.
We had several teachers come in to preview the software, but not nearly as many as I had hoped. In an ideal world, wouldn't everyone just be dying to know what resources we have available?
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