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 j88JVRG14694; Thu, 8 Sep 2005 15:31:27 -0400 (EDT) Date: Thu, 8 Sep 2005 15:31:27 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <s3204aad.060@gwia.leanderisd.org> 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: "Emily Wilson" <Emily.Wilson@leanderisd.org> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-ESL:11115] Re: Traffic Safety Curriculum for Existing X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII X-Mailer: Novell GroupWise Internet Agent 6.5.4 Status: O Content-Length: 4748 Lines: 79 >>> LFANNI@parknet.pmh.org 09/08/05 12:40 PM >>> Hello- The Injury Prevention Center of Greater Dallas (IPC) and the AAA Foundation is currently working on a project to reduce traffic injuries and fatalities among the new-immigrant population. Recently, the IPC conducted a small pilot program in which traffic safety information was introduced to new immigrants during beginning ESL classes. Students demonstrated a statistically significant increase in seatbelt use after receiving the information. Currently, the IPC and AAA are working to develop a formal teaching module for existing beginning ESL. In order to develop a successful program we need your expert advice! Below is a short survey. The responses will be used by our curriuculum developer to draft a preliminary curriculum which will then be reviewed by students and experts in the ESL field. Thank you in advance for your participation. 1. In the process of teaching English, have you used ESL as a forum for teaching other things? If so, please describe. Yes. Talking to the police, health, Texas history and government, workers rights and citizenship. 2. Please rate the importance of teaching the following in ESL classes: a. English-1 b. Civics education-3 c. Traffic safety-4 d. American history-8 e. Banking-7 f. Employment practices-5 g. Driver's License-9 h. Immigration Services-2 i. Housing-6 However, we base what is taught based on what the students tell us they need. We adapt to the students rather than them adapting to us. 3. Are ESL programs an appropriate venue to teach new immigrants to use seat belts and child safety seats? Why or why not? Yes. Definately. Because it may safe their lives and we are a source of critical information and teaching to the immigrant population. Also, many of them do not have driver's licenses in the US and so they have not taken a driver's safety course. Where as most US drivers have taken courses and sometimes even take defensive driver's courses. 4. Do you think ESL instructors feel it is their role to provide students with traffic safety and other civics education? Yes. Whether the program is designated as EL Civics or not--we all see that it is our duty to educate recent immigrants as to differences in the various key institutions, laws and rights of this country. 5. What would be the best way and the best venue to train ESL instructors on the importance of traffic/occupant safety (i.e., continuing education workshops)? A workshop is usually the best way because a teacher can interact w/ a real instructor and other teachers. Usually people enjoy that. Workshops should be offered on weekends as well as other times and be as brief as possible. Also, they should be free. Also, internet training such as the ones available on Verizon Literacy Campus are popular and useful and can accommodate people all over. We are in a rural area so it can sometimes be costly and difficult to make trainings. 6. What would be the best way to present traffic safety materials for ESL instructors (i.e., a guidebook, video)? See above and then provide teaching activities and classroom resources that are prepared. 7. What methods and media are most effective for teaching traffic safety and other civics education? Overheads and notebooks are pretty popular. Flashcards of the signs would be a good thing too. 8. What would be the best way to encourage ESL instructors to always include a traffic/occupant safety component during their ESL classes? Offer it and offer it for free---people will come. Advertise it at NIFL-ESL and then Texas Center for Literacy and Learning (Harriet Vardeman-Smith can post to appropriate listserves) and other state listserves. I know more people here in Texas who are active in their state listserves because they are promoted at the conferences they attend that people who are active on NIFL. 9. What are the barriers we will face when trying to get ESL programs to incorporate our traffic safety curriculum? How can we overcome these barriers? Is there anything else you would like to add concerning traffic safety and ESL programs? If you make it too cumbersome, wordy, advanced or detailed or boring. Start at the basics. Signs, most common driver's mistakes, how to keep children safe. Some basic laws that are going to get people pulled over. What to do when they get a ticket. It would be helpful if you had a section that compared some of the most common mistakes that people from Mexico make when using their driving experiencing and applying it to US roads. We need it. Linda Fanning Development Specialist Injury Prevention Center of Greater Dallas 5000 Harry Hines Boulevard, Suite 101 Dallas, Texas 75235 214.590.4460 214.590.4469 fax
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