I'm very interested in your information  Unless you want to share with the entire list, send your information to me at mikal.steinbacher at lwtc.edu.  
 
Thanks!
 
Mikal Steinbacher
Instructor, ABE/ESL/English
Lake Washington Technical College

________________________________

From: englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov on behalf of Lorz, Angela
Sent: Thu 3/5/2009 9:58 AM
To: The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List
Subject: [EnglishLanguage 3996] Re: Plaza Comunitaria



Mikal,
I have been in your situation as well!
That's when the on-line coursework in the student's native language can be a lifesaver!
I have been able to put the small grp of Latinos working on computers while working with others on supported ESL lessons.
The ESL lessons have translation as well, so they could work fairly independently.
Please contact me for more info & how to review the material for applicability in your situation?
Angela


-----Original Message-----
From: englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov on behalf of Steinbacher Mikal
Sent: Thu 3/5/2009 6:14 AM
To: The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List
Subject: RE: [EnglishLanguage 3982] Re: Plaza Comunitaria

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 <http://public.doe.k12.ga.us/pea_communications.aspx?ViewMode=1&RctPressV> &RctPressV
iew=Enewsletter&obj=1242



Best and thanks



Heide Spruck Wrigley

Mesilla, NM













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