Return-Path: <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id h6FJi0710003; Tue, 15 Jul 2003 15:44:00 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2003 15:44:00 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <E137FEA6AB52654998DEDA818AF8FCC21F8E7C@gro-mail1.watc.local> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Lorry Shoniber" <LShoniber@wichitatech.com> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-ESL:9200] Re: ESL resources and teacher development X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-Type: text/plain; Status: O Content-Length: 5264 Lines: 112 Maurice, I became inspired to stop my daily lurking when I saw Micronesia in your posting. I taught on Pohnpei for eight years. Kaselehlia. Your description of the images reminded me of Pohnpei. I also taught for two years on Tinian. Hafa Adai. It is certainly a long way from Kansas, my home state. I am leaving tomorrow for our state Adult Education Summer Institute. It is one of the best state conferences in all areas of adult education, family literacy, and early childhood professional development. I also use this listserv as staff development for our ESL instructors. The suggestions are usually easy to implement. Thanks to all contributers for sharing your experiences in the classroom. Lorry Shoniber WATC-Dunbar Campus Wichita, KS lshoniber@wichitatech.com -----Original Message----- From: m.white [mailto:ma.white@morehead-st.edu] Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2003 11:06 AM To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: [NIFL-ESL:9195] Re: ESL resources and teacher development Dear Valley, First, a personal comment. What a unique name - Valley. It evokes all kinds of images. Relatively recently returned from 10 years in Micronesia, I remember glistening waterfalls, lush fruit orchards, and vistas of the ocean from forested ravines. I could go on, but we'll stop this micro-mini vacation right now ;) If you don't know about the ALTA ESL Resource Center, contact them and request a catalogue. You'll receive one forever after. ALTA is the "largest source of ESL books & materials in the world". <info @ altaesl.com> <www.altaesl.com> <1-800-258-2375> Specific materials for restaurant & housekeeping staff: English for Housekeeping Staff by Lawrence J. Swier / Main Course: Language and Skills for Restaurant Workers by Renee Talalla. Here in Kentucky, I am employed at Morehead State University as the adult ESL (ESOL) professional development specialist. I was previously the director MSU's English Language Center (for int'l students). My role is to provide training for adult ESL practitioners across the state. I work in conjunction with the Kentucky Department of Adult Education & Literacy (DAEL) which has traditionally offered annual ESL orientation training. However, this department has expanded its efforts to provide professional development to these professionals because of the burgeoning numbers of int'l folk and immigrants. I've worked with part-timers, full-timers, administrators, and volunteers. In the various sessions I've conducted, I try to combine theory and practice in a meaningful way that'll provide a catalyst for reflection, change, and implementation. Components include 2nd language acquisition, methods of teaching ESL, lesson planning, materials development, "knowing the English language" (what we as native speakers should be mindful of concerning grammar, idiom use, vocabulary, etc.), intercultural issues, positionality, workplace & correctional facility English language issues, etc. What is your state's equivalent of DAEL doing / offering in the way of ESL professional development? The push here is blending face-to-face sessions with online course work (seen as more efficient and cost saving for sure). Check out the Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center's two online courses. Contact Cheryl Fuentes for more info: <cfuentes@arlington.k12.va.us> See what she's got to say. Good luck Valley. Maurice Valley Peters wrote: > Hi, > > I just want to say how much I've enjoyed all of the > postings on gender differences and language > differences. > > I am writing to inquire about workplace focused texts. > I have copies of the Workplace Plus editions, but > many of our students want something more specific to > their given job. For example, texts on construction > work/landscaping, hotel/housekeeping, and working in > restaurants. We have several Picture Dictionaries > with vocabulary for these work situations but if > anyone has other suggestions of resources I would very > much appreciate more ideas. > > The other issue I'd like to bring up is teacher > training and professional development. As with many > ESL programs out there, we experience high turn-over > with our teachers. Our positions are part time > because we only offer evening classes. Our teachers > have other jobs as their primary source of income and > most do not have formal training. It's a priority in > our program to provide professional development > opportunities - thus far consisting of doing readings > on a topic, experimenting with a new idea from the > reading in class, and then journaling about that > experience. We also provide occasional workshops. I'm > hoping to introduce a reflective piece this week with > the teachers - so we'll be starting to look at how > reflective practice works. > > My question is for other programs who don't have > full-time teachers or formally trained teachers - what > kind of professional development are you providing and > what's been most successful? > > Thank you, > Valley Peters > Teton Literacy Program > > __________________________________ > Do you Yahoo!? > SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month! > http://sbc.yahoo.com > This message scanned by RAV anti-virus. This message scanned by RAV anti-virus.
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