I would like to see some research-based steps that ABE programs can use
to encourage better learner persistence. THX  Jay
 
-----Original Message-----
From: englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Lynda Terrill
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 10:06 AM
To: The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List;
englishlanguage at nifl.gov
Subject: [EnglishLanguage 1005] Re: Suggestions for Discussion Topics
for2007
 
Dear subscribers, 
 
At the beginning of the new year I asked you (see below) for suggestions
for targeted discussions for this year. Thanks for those of you who
responded on or off the list.  So far these are the suggestions,
including  a couple that came to me last year.
 
---It looks like the sharing of resources (including books and Web
sites) is an important part of this list--that's not a surprise.  I
liked the way one poster said she hopes the "tradition" of the list will
continue. I've been thinking about how we can a) make  practitioners'
advice most useful b) continue to follow the National Institute for
Literacy's rule,  "...lists cannot be used as a promotion tool."
(http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/list_guidelines.html) I thought
that we could develop a simple form that people could refer to when they
offered an opinion or a review of a resource and that we could focus on
this topic in a week in March.  What do you think?
---A more general topic--the use of distance learning in adult ESL-- was
also suggested and perhaps we could focus on during the same week we
discuss specific resources. 
---One person offered the topic of the history of adult immigrant
education.  I think this is a fascinating topic, but perhaps Sarah Young
and I will continue to search for references with the eye to developing
a succinct history of the field that could be available on the CAELA Web
site.
---An off list poster suggested that we offer a discussion on ways to
facilitate  conversations among people in the field of ESL,. such as
between teachers and administrators, with paraprofessionals, or
administrators and funders.
---Earlier requests were to continue the literacy-level discussion of
last year, but with more emphasis on sharing hands-on strategies and
techniques and to discuss connections between numeracy and second
language learning.
---There is also in the works the opportunity to host a panel discussion
on issues related to adult immigrants and workplace education that would
be tentatively be held for one week in April.
If you have comments on these topics or further comments, please send
them.
 
Thanks for your time and effort.
 
Lynda Terrill
moderator, adult English language discussion list
lterrill at cal.org
 
 
________________________________

From: englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov on behalf of Lynda Terrill
Sent: Wed 1/3/2007 11:30 AM
To: englishlanguage at nifl.gov
Subject: [EnglishLanguage 915] Suggestions for Discussion Topics for
2007
Dear subscribers,
 
I hope you had some time to relax over the holiday season.
 
As I wrote at the end of last year, I'm seeking your suggestions for
some targeted discussions for 2007.  
 
These might be weeks when
*         a guest facilitator or facilitators share information and
answer questions on a particular topic or issue,  
*         or it could be a week when some decide to read a certain
article or topic to discuss as a group, 
*         or there could be a week when subscribers share substantive
reviews of materials, textbooks, software, or Web sites they themselves
have used, 
*         or other suggestions
This list (formerly known as NIFL-ESL) has been going since April 1995.
I've been part of the list since that time and I notice a generally
cyclical nature to the discussions. 
This makes sense to me because as less experienced teachers and
administrators join the list, they may have  questions similar to those
some others of us had  when we joined almost 12 years ago (e.g., What
materials are good? What instructional strategies really work? What are
appropriate ways to address cultural issues? How can my class or program
meet the needs of learners, funders, and other stakeholders? How can
various technologies assist adults learning English as a second
language?) 
This list generally has between about 850 and 900 subscribers, so I hope
that some of you can offer suggestions for discussion topics and
activities that will serve your needs.  
I look forward to hearing your suggestions. 
Thanks and Happy New Year.
Lynda Terrill
moderator, adult English language discussion list
lterrill at cal.org
202-362-0700 ext 543 <mailto:errill at cal.org> 
 
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.nifl.gov/pipermail/englishlanguage/attachments/20070116/067bf05e/attachment.html