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 g8M3s5X17638; Sat, 21 Sep 2002 23:54:05 -0400 (EDT) Date: Sat, 21 Sep 2002 23:54:05 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <200209220349.g8M3nSYs012167@Mail.ISD77.K12.MN.US> 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: "Juline Thomley" <jthoml1@mail.isd77.k12.mn.us> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-ESL:8031] TESOL universities X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Status: O Content-Length: 3492 Lines: 62 On Friday I asked for advice/opinions regarding good TESOL programs that consider adults and adult ESL literacy. Several of you have indicated an interest in hearing about the various programs that others recommend and asked that I forward any replies that came to me directly. A few replies have been made through the listserve, but I'm sorry to report that only two others have come to me directly. There are many more interested in hearing about the programs that are out there than in recommending programs. I'm editing in the couple of messages that I received directly and would like to encourage others with an opinion to add to them. I really am looking for opinions-whether or not you have experience at the various universities. For example, the Univ. of Michigan-Ann Arbor has interested me, especially since I like some of the materials published by the Michigan Press. Also professors or other teachers who are instrumental in adult ESL (one name that comes to mind right now is Susan Gaer) interest me. I would like to know where they are teaching and/or where they were trained... A couple of you noticed that I'm from Minnesota and asked about the University of Minnesota. The UM does offer TESOL at the graduate level, as well as adult education as was recommended by one of you. I am interested in the program(s)...it bills itself as being rated as one of the top ten institutions. Its proximity to where we currently live is tempting and yet I'd like to experience ESL in another location of the country. Here are the other two recommendations that I received directly: "Dear Juline, I'm not sure what the top five ESL/literacy places in the USA would be for graduate work (but I am interested to hear what others might have to say) - I'm a professor in second language acquisition at the University of Durham, in England (in case you'd consider moving across the Atlantic). I'm emailing you because (while I'm in Seattle, until the end of this month) a former ESL colleague and I are about to start collecting data for a study of pre-literate adults (Vietnamese and Somalis) who've had at least 180 hours of English, to confirm where we suspect their problems with literacy lie. We are hoping sometime in 2003-2004 to move on to a phase of the study where we develop and test different versions of computer-assisted programmes (which would reach many more pre-literates trying to develop literacy in English (around the world, in the UK and Australia, for example). A good assessment tool would also be wonderful. I can tell you more about the graduate programmes (in my department and in Education), if you're interested!" "I went to the University of Pennsylvania. It is regarded as the best in the country. Most if the linguistic legends went through Penn and right now the Graduate School of Education (professors) was asked by the state of PA to be a consultant about new ESL teacher training and certification standards. Check them out: www.upenn.edu. Search under 'Academic Programs' for the Graduate School of Education (GSE) Best of Luck," I removed the names in case of privacy issues. I'm sure the senders will acknowledge their messages if they want others to know. I hope this generates some more opinions, as well as respect for the many excellent programs that are out there. Juline -- >From one of my ESL learners: A dyslexic agnostic insomniac lay in bed wondering if there really was a dog.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Fri Jan 17 2003 - 14:44:21 EST