Module 1 – About English and Learners of English

…the class …ESL at AACC

…ESL 380 …adult ESL students …the English language

Interview your partner. Find a little about him/her and why he/she is taking this class.

Introduce your partner to the class. Make an entry to your Classroom

Activities log . How could you use an interview activity in your ESL class?

ESL? EFL? TESL? ESOL? Integrated skills? ESL at AACC – Basic Skills? Academic

ESL? Syllabus Grading: Portfolio, Lesson, Presentation AACC TESL Certificate Emergency Forms

Bob the Seagull

Adults have… history of learning experiences rich life experiences greater attention span than

youngsters have cooperative attitude perspective that learning is important

Adults may also have:

strong opinions about how teaching and learning should be accomplished

fixed history of education – success or failure

more anxiety about the learning process

fear of losing face

“There are a number of factors that contribute to one’s ability to adjust to a new culture and acquire the skills (linguistic and nonlinguistic) to survive and thrive in that new culture.”

From Parrish, B. (2004). Teaching Adult ESL: A Practical Introduction. McGraw-Hill. Pages 1 - 5

1. Country of origin2. Reasons for coming to the US3. Age at which the person emigrated4. Financial resources5. Difficulties in journey6. Immigration status7. Education and level of literacy in L1/Previous

exposure to English8. Extent of family separation9. Experience living in another country10. Status of cultural group

Read the biographical sketches of ESL students Yuri and Thida.

Meet in your Expert (color) Groups. Discuss your assigned ESL student with regard to 5 factors: Red Group – Yuri and questions 1 – 5 Yellow Group – Yuri and questions 6 – 10 Blue Group – Thida and questions 1 – 5 Green Group – Thida and questions 6 - 10

How difficult will it be for your ESL student to succeed in a language class. What advantages and disadvantages does he/she have?

Share your findings with your Cooperative (shape) Groups.

What do you think about a jig saw as a teaching activity? Make an entry into your Classroom Activities log.

Coming to America: Coalition for Limited English

Speaking Elderly America_320_29.wmv

What advantages and disadvantages does Biba bring to the language classroom?

Learners’ knowledge and experiences are validated.

Learners have active roles in the classroom.

Learners make choices about content and classroom activities.

The content of instruction is relevant to the students’ needs and interests and draws on their experiences and knowledge.

Teachers constantly assess teaching and learning in relation to learners’ needs.

How Much are the Peppers? YouTube Video

Or…Why is English like that?

True or False? Work with your partner to decide.

English is the language of international air traffic control.

30% of the world’s scientists write in English.

80% of the world’s computer information is stored in English.

English has the largest number of native speakers of any language.

English is the official national language of the U.K. and the U.S..

Half the world’s newspapers are in English.

English is the most common language on the Internet.

English is the official language of the United Nations.

The History of the English Language http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=v_Y_Z5Ab6y4

Work with your partner to complete the quizzes.

When did words come into English? Where did Old English vocabulary

come from?

My AACC English language web quest

Complete the task on the next two slides Make an entry into your Classroom

Activities Log Explore the links on slide 26

Listen to the readings from Old English (Beowulf), Middle English (Canterbury Tales), Shakespeare (Modern English). How much do they resemble present-day English?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxNB2ONelfo&feature=related

http://pages.towson.edu/duncan/Hanks.wav http://www.wiredforbooks.org/shakespeare/

Read Chapter 1 pages 3 – 11. Note particularly the two dimensions to

learner involvement explained on page 8.

Complete Reflection page 8.