[EnglishLanguage 3991] Re: Plaza ComunitariaSteinbacher Mikal Mikal.Steinbacher at lwtc.eduThu Mar 5 09:14:49 EST 2009
The demographics in our area don't allow it. I've had classes with student who speak 17 different languages. Teaching classes in Spanish wouldn't work. Mikal Steinbacher Instructor, ABE/ESL/English Lake Washington Technical College ________________________________ From: englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov on behalf of Barber, Jennifer Sent: Wed 3/4/2009 10:55 AM To: The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List Subject: RE: [EnglishLanguage 3982] Re: Plaza Comunitaria I'm in WA too and have been looking into Conyvet. How do you get around the issue in WA of not giving instruction in Spanish? Jennifer Barber English as a Second Language Grays Harbor College 1620 Edward P. Smith Drive Office: 2214 Aberdeen, WA 98520 360-538-2516 jbarber at ghc.edu www.ghc.edu/faculty/barber ________________________________ From: englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov on behalf of Lorz, Angela Sent: Wed 3/4/2009 10:19 AM To: The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List Subject: [EnglishLanguage 3982] Re: Plaza Comunitaria Hello Lynn & Heidi, We here in the northernmost reaches of central WA, Tonasket, have established a Plaza Comunitaria that has been running strong continuously since March 07. We have a 70+ adult ed [ESL & SPanish ABE & Spanish GED prep], 4 night/week 2 1/2 hr classes that have a strong cohort of continuing learners who bring in others as well as progress through the levels of monolingual Spanish non-literacy towards readying for Spanish GED. We will be sending several folks this year for GED testing. In this insular community in northern Okanogan County, with FEW resources, the Plaza has established a focal point for fulfilling this resource void. We are constantly growing and adding more information/resources to our 'rollodex', trying to provide that location where you go to get whatever direction you need to improve integration into the community. At least we have arrived to the reality of resource center! As far as the on-line [CONEVyT]Spanish curriculum's usefulness goes, it has been the locus of turning towards hope and progress in so many lives. The opportunity to finish Primaria, then Secundaria and go on to American GED, while studying in Bachillerato, provides the compelling support that has improved their chances for success in ESL! ...not to mention learning computer skills. Plus, we have a pen & paper program through the "library" of materials that Mexico provided us as the 'hard copy' for the on-line courses. The "Learn English" coursework is only available on-line. I cannot praise CONEVyT [ continuing adult ed] enough for use with parents of minor US citizens, for those older teenagers who arrive with mono-lingual SP literacy [who can continue their studies on-line] while they learn English in mainstream classes, and for work skill related training that prepares adults for applying for 'better'/non-orchard employment. We are also working to get credit completion established with our local high schools. Please contact us for help with getting your Plaza started! We are supported by a GearUp grant, with coordination of resources from 2 colleges. As ever looking forward, Angela -----Original Message----- From: englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov on behalf of Lynn Christofersen Sent: Tue 3/3/2009 12:12 PM To: The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List Subject: [EnglishLanguage 3974] Re: Plaza Comunitaria Hi Heidi, Our Plaza program came into the community through the Migrant Bilingual Education department of our local school district. It is run by a very dedicated bilingual middle school math instructor who receives support from the school district. While it currently serves Spanish adults two nights a week the long range vision is to include our bilingual high school students. They will benefit by studying subjects in their native language and hopefully improve their subject scores in the corresponding English language classes. We also anticipate it would help with student retention and high school completion. The Volunteer Literacy Program is still looking for champions within the high school to help make this integration happen. Our Volunteer Literacy Program helps support the Plazas program by referring students and providing children's activities while parents are studying. We are co-located at the middle school where we provide ESL classes three nights a week. We are currently working on locating a Spanish speaking volunteer at the Plazas site who will help tutor students interested in taking the GED in Spanish. We are an agricultural community and have many Spanish and Oaxaca community members with limited formal education. Plaza provides an opportunity for these students to increase their education provided they have basic reading skills. We think it is a great resource and would like to see even more community access. Lynn Christofersen Community Services Division Director Skagit County Community Action Agency PO Box 1507 Mount Vernon, WA 98273 360-416-7585 lynnc at skagitcap.org ________________________________ From: englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Wrigley, Heide Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 10:56 AM To: The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List; dtaylor at buffalo.edu Subject: [EnglishLanguage 3972] Plaza Comunitaria Hi, all I'm at the meeting of the National Center for Family Literacy and am trying to speak to the resources for native language available to practitioners and learners. We are hoping to make state directors aware of these resources and provide access for programs * basic literacy development in Spanish (or other languages) * development of literacy and content knowledge in the native language * credit and certification for classes taken in the home country (for late entry adolescents) * assessment of L1 proficiency (writing) * Spanish GED * on-line resources for developing literacy skills and content knowledge - linked with (academic) credit for having taken these courses As to the last question, I'm hoping some of you might have experience with Plaza Comunitaria and tell us how you have used the Portal. To read more, please look at http://public.doe.k12.ga.us/pea_communications.aspx?ViewMode=1&RctPressV iew=Enewsletter&obj=1242 Best and thanks Heide Spruck Wrigley Mesilla, NM -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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