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Teaching ESL

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Teaching ESL
Intercultural Communications
Linguistics
ESL Practicum

 

EDU 415/515

Course Syllabus

Fall 2007

Class Meetings: Tuesdays: Aug. 28th, Oct. 2nd, Nov. 27th, Dec. 11th

Instructor: Jennifer Gowin-Hussey

Office Hours: By appointment

Cell Phone: 670-8827

E-mail: jhussey@csm.edu  and jlhussey@cox.net

Assignments

Discussion

 

Class Materials: Fundamentals of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages in K-12 Classrooms (2002) By Hanizah Zainuddin, Noorchaya Yahya, Carmen A. Morales-Jones, and Eileen N. Ariza. This is a required textbook.

Becoming a Language Teacher: A Practical Guide to Second Language Learning and Teaching (2008) By Elaine Kolker Horwitz. This is a required textbook.

 

Course Objectives:

1) To provide an overview of cultural issues related to second language learners, which may include the following themes: language and culture are inseparable, parents’ beliefs of the U.S. educational system, and how to provide an optimal learning environment for ESL students.

2) To provide an understanding of first language development and of second language acquisition through an in-depth look at basic research of second language acquisition and instructional strategies that promote second language development.

3) To provide a variety of methods and strategies that can be utilized to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of second language learners in a content area class.

4) To provide a brief overview of basic federal and state laws related to limited English proficient students.

5) To provide instruction on the methodology and strategies for teaching reading and writing to second language learners, including both students who are literate and those who are non-literate in their first language.

 

Prerequisites: For undergraduate students only—two years of high school foreign language or one year of college level foreign language.

 

Student Learning Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

1) Recognize and address cultural events pertaining to the class objectives.

2) Apply strategies based on research related to second language acquisition.

3) Design lessons using a variety of strategies which differentiate instruction for second language learners in the content area class.

4) Create a digital portfolio which reflects the knowledge attained from each class session.

5) Critique articles, books, and websites and respond in written form. Be prepared to respond orally, as well.

 

Attendance Policy:

Attendance is mandatory. Every effort should be made to notify the instructor if extenuating circumstances prevent you from being present in class. Please call or e-mail the instructor within 24 hours of the absence. Every unexcused absence will result in an automatic 5% deduction from your final grade.

 

Student Evaluation and Grading:

The grading scale is listed below:

A= 90-100%

B= 80-89%

C= 70-79%

D= 60-69%

F= 0-59%

Two Examinations: Each 10% of final grade = 20%

Essay and Matching Format

 

8 Discussion Board Activities: Each 5% of final grade = 40% Responses are limited to 150 words.

 

3 Reviews: Each 5% of final grade = 15%

The instructor will provide the article, book or website location to be reviewed. Reviews should be 2-3 pages, double spaced in 12 pt. font. Students should be prepared to share information in class.

 

Digital Portfolio: 20% of final grade

Each student will be required to create a digital portfolio that represents materials presented in the text, class discussions, activities and classroom observations. It will be titled, "The ESL Toolbox." It will be helpful for students to keep a running record of strategies introduced in each class session and work on the portfolio should be continuous throughout the session.

 

Lesson Plan: 5% of final grade

Students will design a content area lesson using the strategies introduced and modeled in class.

 

Participation/In-Class Activities:

Professional conduct is expected. Students will be working in small groups to complete in-class assignments. The grade will be based on the instructor’s observations and how well each member contributes.

 

Self-directed Learning Project for Graduate Students Only: Graduate students will propose a topic related to ESL to study in-depth. Prepare a paper or project and present findings to the class. See instructor for more information.

 

Other information:

Late work

In-class work cannot be made up and assignments are due by 5:00 PM on the date due. All assignments must be completed for a passing grade. Late work loses one full grade and will not be accepted after two days. If you are having trouble meeting the due dates, discuss this with the instructor before the project is due.

 

Oral and Written Competencies

Professionals must be able to express themselves adequately in oral and written form. All written work will be evaluated for quality of content and appropriate syntactical structures. Written work that evidences limitations in these areas will be returned for editing and resubmission. Oral expression will also be evaluated and addressed within individual conferences.

 

Policy for Academic Honesty

Cheating is expressly forbidden. A student caught cheating will be given a zero for the work and the student’s advisor and the Academic Dean will be notified. The Instructor, the Program Director, and the Academic Dean will also deal with any other forms of academic dishonesty. All written papers need to be submitted as a hard copy and an e-copy and will be submitted to "Turnitin.com".

 

Instructor Evaluation

The student may have the opportunity to evaluate the instructor and the course at the end of the term through the use of a confidential rating form. However, during the semester, students are encouraged to communicate directly with the instructor concerning any aspect of the course.

 

Special Accommodations

If you have a certifiable learning or physical disability and require special accommodations, please call and make an appointment with the disabilities coordinator in the Achievement Center ADA office at 399-2366. Considerable lead-time is required for accommodations, so it is important that your request is received in the Achievement Center ADA office as early in the semester as possible. Please note: your request will be handled confidentially.

 

Laptop Statement

Laptop use in classrooms creates new and exciting possibilities for teachers and students when used appropriately.  Please use your laptop ethically and for educational purposes and activities permitted by the instructor.  Unacceptable uses include: instant messaging, e-mailing, unassigned Internet browsing, game-playing and completing homework for other classes.  Violations of this request will result in withdrawal of permission to use the laptop in this class and may affect your grade in the course.

 

Declaration of Open Discourse

In the spirit of intellectual inquiry, College of Saint Mary is committed to the exchange of diverse ideas and viewpoints. In this environment, honest discourse is valued; demeaning remarks are not tolerated. Each member of the campus community is encouraged to:

Recognize the basis of her or his own assumptions and perspectives,

Acknowledge the assumptions and perspectives of others,

Promote understanding and respectful dissent.

Assignment Details

Aug. 28th: Discuss Zainuddin Chapters 1-2 and Horwitz Chapter 1

Sept. 4th: Read Zainuddin Chapters 3-4 and Horwitz Chapter 2

Sept. 11th: Answer Discussion Board question

Read Zainuddin Chapters 5-6 and Horwitz Chapter 3

Sept. 18th: Article Review #1 due today

Read Zainuddin Chapters 7-8 and Horwitz Chapter 4

Sept. 25th: Answer Discussion Board question

Read Zainuddin Chapters 9-10 and Horwitz Chapter 5

Oct. 2nd: Meet at CSM

Mid-term Exam

Oct. 9th: Answer Discussion Board question

Read Zainuddin Chapters 11-12 and Horwitz Chapter 6

Oct. 16th: Answer Discussion Board question

Read Zinuddin Chapters 13-14 and Horwitz Chapter 7

Oct. 23rd: No class- work on lesson plan, article review

Oct. 30th: Answer Discussion Board question

Article Review #2 due today

Read Zainuddin Chapters 15-16 and Horwitz Chapter 8

Nov. 6th: Lesson Plan due today

Read Zainuddin Chapters 17-18 and Horwitz Chapter 9

Nov. 13th: Answer Discussion Board question

Read Zainuddin Chapters 19-20 and Horwitz Chapter 10

Nov. 20th Answer Discussion Board question

Read Zainuddin Chapters 21 and 22 and Horwitz Chapter 11

Nov. 27th Meet at CSM

Article Review #3 due today

Read Zainuddin Chapters 23 and 24

Dec. 4th Answer Discussion Board Question

Work on Digital Portfolio and presentation material

Dec. 11th Digital Portfolio Presentations

Dec. 18th Final Exam due by 5:00 PM

** ALL WORK must be submitted electronically by 5:00 on the date is due.

 

 

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