Sorry for the late response but I have not been able to get to this
listserv for a couple of weeks.

 

The ESL/CONEVyT program in Tonasket is structured as a multi-level ESL
class that uses literacy (in Spanish) as one of the modes of
instruction. The class is split, roughly, into entry level ESL students
and advanced level ESL students. One group studies English while the
other group works in CONEVyT. About half way through the class the
groups switch. While the ESL instruction remains relatively structured
according to skill level, CONEVyT instruction is based on the individual
needs of the student and is self-paced. It is possible that a low level
ESL student will be working at the secondaria level in CONEVyT and an
advanced ESL student will be in primaria. 

 

The class is team taught with one instructor, Angela, focusing on
CONEVyT and the other, Michael, teaching ESL. They work very closely
together integrating the ESL and CONEVyT instruction.

 

This model resulted from the realization of two factors:

 

1.     Students wanted more than ESL.

 

Tonasket is a very small agricultural community just a few miles from
the Canadian border. Average enrollment was 10 students fall and winter
quarters. Focus groups were set up to find out why more students were
not attending and what would make ESL more useful to them. There were a
number of factors brought out including the need for more flexibility in
scheduling classes and reducing the number of levels in each class. The
key one that led us to CONEVyT was that while all participants
recognized the need for improved English skills, what they really wanted
was basic literacy skills they could use now at home and work and to
help their children in school.

 

2.     Research showing that improved literacy in the L1 improved the
acquisition of L2.

 

As Angela (our CONEVyT evangelist [g]) says below the response has been
tremendous. The class now goes year around, enrollment and retention
have skyrocketed, and students are earning their GED's while acquiring
English.

 

I cannot close without making one extremely important point. As
important as all of the above is, the relationship between the
instructors is critical. Angela and Michael are a powerful student
focused team. We have duplicated this model four times throughout our
10,000 square mile district. While all of them have done well, how well
each has done has been in direct proportion the strength of the
instructional team.

 

I would be very interested in hearing about other models, such as one
instructor teaching both ESL and CONEVyT; or other models for L1
literacy. We had just set up one such class but budget cuts forced us to
close the class before we could assess its efficacy.

 

Have a great day.

 

Larry D. Ruddell, M.Ed.
Director of Adult Basic Skills 
Wenatchee Valley College 
1300 Fifth Street 
Wenatchee, WA 98801
509.682.6795 (Office)
lruddell at wvc.edu <mailto:lruddell at wvc.edu>  
www.wvc.edu <http://www.wvc.edu/>  

 

From: englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Wrigley, Heide
Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 2:32 PM
To: The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List
Cc: miriam at cal.org
Subject: [EnglishLanguage 3989] Plaza Comunitaria and getting credit for
L1literacy

 

HI, Angela and Lynn (and others who have written) 

 

Thanks so much for all the information on how you use Plaza Comunitaria.
I very much appreciate your taking the time to include all those
details.  I'm on the road but will sort through what's what and will
also check out the site and then make recommendations to send forward. 

 

A quick question for those of you who are offering L1 literacy (in
Spanish or another language).  Since the WIA funded classes are supposed
to focus on the acquisition of English, how are you funding your native
language literacy classes?  

 

A number of programs are combining an L1 class with an English
conversation or an English literacy class which allows them to "count"
these students in the NRS

 

What model/approach  are you using and how is this working out for you?

>From your perspective, what would be a sane L1 literacy program look

like as part of a larger framework of education for adults who want/need
to become bilingual and biliterate? 

 

Thanks, all 

 

Heide

 

And Miriam, I know some of these issues were discussed on the list
before.  Are L1 posts bundled in the archives in such a way that list
servers can pull them out across discussion groups (e.g., last years
discussion on What Works in Adult ESL; this year's discussion on ESL
Literacy and posts in between)

 

From: englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Lorz, Angela
Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 11:19 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








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