wittner partners in learning leslla 2011
TRANSCRIPT
Partners in Learning: College
Students and Workers at the
University of Virginia
LESLLA Conference 2011Presented by Elizabeth Wittner
Academic Director, Center for American English Language and Culture, University of
VirginiaOctober 1, 2011
11:30-12:15
Agenda
Seeds of the idea
Evolution: Toward a more inclusive definition of “University Community”
But we’re not teachers!: Students from conversation partners to literacy/English mentors
Challenges and unexpected benefits
Discussion
Why a Workplace ESL Program?
• Personal/professional connection to LESLLA populations
• UVA –IRC
• UVA student ethos
1999 12 Classroom Volunteers
Class is over!!
VOLUNTEERS WITH
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND
SCHOLARS
University Community Re-defined
VOLUNTEERS WITH INTERNATIONAL
STUDENTS, SCHOLARS AND STAFF!
The Workplace Program:
Many iterations
Evolving, flexible program starting its 4th year
• Language Consultants
• Conversation group
• Traditional Class
• Theme based Workshop
“Language Consultants”
Meet during break time in pairs:
volunteer and service-employee ELL
Conversation Group
Meet, mingle, chat for an hour of relaxed English conversation, twice a week.
We want a “Class”
Large group lesson
Rotate to different stations to practice
Classroom community
Some pairing off
Workplace Workshop:
Go at your own pace
Interns’ curriculum units, fall
2010 Health [emotion, condition, illness,
body parts, describing people]
Time/Seasons/Calendar
Food/Nutrition
Shopping
Housing/Community?
Transportation/Directions (Address)
Employment/Jobs
Traditions/Celebrations
Starting off with a mini-lesson
Fanning out into smaller groups
The Interns
All Student Staff
Academic Director
Interns
Volunteers
English Language Learners
Volunteers
Interns
Director
Interns
Volunteers
Challenges and Puzzles
Volunteers are students
Inconsistent support from contractor/employer
Few resources and zero funding
So, is it worth it?
Unexpected Benefits
Teaching each other
I've had the pleasure to work with Hawa G., Fatuma and Karama. This has been a rewarding experience that inspired me to continue working with immigrants and refugees. During one of the lessons, the four of us were talking about clothing items and how to wear clothes properly. I remember Karama said that she had to tell a student to zip up his fly using hand gestures because she didn't know how to say it in English. We exploded into a communal almost endless laughter. I will never forget this experience. Or these people. :) -- Vera Melo, Workplace ESLA
Questions and Discussion