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 i2J3xMI27882; Thu, 18 Mar 2004 22:59:23 -0500 (EST) Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 22:59:23 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <20040319005917.89486.qmail@web60110.mail.yahoo.com> 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: Maureen White <mnw517@yahoo.com> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-ESL:10086] About Requirements X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Status: O Content-Length: 2364 Lines: 57 Sylvan Rainwater writes: "It may be that we are in the midst of trying to figure out what would be a reasonable certification process for an adult ESL teacher. A related issue is what kind of jobs (i.e. pay, benefits, part- or full-time) that sort of certification would get you. And that's a much larger question that includes issues around how education for adults other than in "higher" education is valued, and basically how we allocate our tax dollars." As a graduate student in a rhetoric/composition program, I have actually undertaken some research to illustrate the current debate over certification. The conversations on this list have given me some great ideas, and I thank all of you for your (unintentional) help and guidance. As I have read about the growing need/desire for specialization, appropriate training and education as well as the status of the ESL professional at all levels, I have come to question my own position. I have been given the wonderful opportunity to teach ESL to a small class at my university as part of my graduate assistantship. While I am grateful for the opportunity and the experience it will provide me, I wonder what service I am doing for the students. I possess many of the personal characteristics needed for a successful teacher and have some theoretical/pedagogical background gained from my courses. However, we have no graduate level courses dedicated to second language learning. I am taking what I can from my classes and applying it in my ESL classroom. I would be interested in the list's opinions of the benefit or detriment I may be to these students. Perhaps ignorance is bliss as I certainly was less critical of myself before I began the research. I can't help but feel that they could be better served, though a qualified staff might not be available. The question goes hand-in-hand with the credibility (or lack of) given to teachers with experience, but not training. I am in no way suggesting that my two years of ESL experience compares with others' 20+, but I am interested in this debate. Thanks in advance for any responses as well as for the lively conversations on subjects in which I am truly interested. Maureen White graduate student - Tennessee, U.S.A __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - More reliable, more storage, less spam http://mail.yahoo.com
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Thu Dec 23 2004 - 09:46:42 EST