<html>

<head>
<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 10 (filtered)">
<title>Re: [EnglishLanguage 3202] Re: ESL Teacher Training</title>

<style>
<!--
 /* Font Definitions */
 @font-face
        {font-family:Tahoma;
        panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
 /* Style Definitions */
 p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
        {margin:0in;
        margin-bottom:.0001pt;
        font-size:12.0pt;
        font-family:"Times New Roman";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
        {color:blue;
        text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
        {color:blue;
        text-decoration:underline;}
p
        {margin-right:0in;
        margin-left:0in;
        font-size:12.0pt;
        font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.emailstyle18
        {font-family:Arial;
        color:navy;}
span.emailstyle20
        {font-family:Arial;
        color:navy;}
span.EmailStyle21
        {font-family:Arial;
        color:navy;}
@page Section1
        {size:8.5in 11.0in;
        margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;}
div.Section1
        {page:Section1;}
-->
</style>

</head>

<body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=blue>

<div class=Section1>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Thanks for all the great and interesting
postings and points of view represented by list members on a number of
topics.&nbsp; I teach public high school </span></font><font size=2 color=navy
 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>ESOL</span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>, teach college English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses, and
develop &amp; facilitate teacher-training products for Adult </span></font><font
 size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
 color:navy'>ESOL</span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> in my county.
&nbsp;&nbsp;If you are interested, since we are posting about case-studies, I
happen to have a case study of a secondary-age Haitian immigrant adolescent
male, published Spring 2008 in the <i><span style='font-style:italic'>Sunshine
State TESOL Journal</span></i> at this link:</span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><a
href="http://www.sstesoljournal.org/PichardOBEN2008.html">http://www.sstesoljournal.org/PichardOBEN2008.html</a></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Peace,</span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Mercedes Pichard</span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Mercedes Pichard, Ed.D.</span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>ESOL Educator</span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>School District</span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'> of </span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
  style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Lee</span></font><font
 size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
 color:navy'> </span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
  style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>County</span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
  10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Fort Myers</span></font><font size=2
 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
 color:navy'>, </span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
  style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>FL</span></font><font
 size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
 color:navy'> </span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
  style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>33919</span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>&nbsp; </span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>-----Original Message-----<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>From:</span></b>
englishlanguage-bounces@nifl.gov [mailto:englishlanguage-bounces@nifl.gov] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Martin Senger<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> </span></font><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>Tuesday,
 December 02, 2008</span></font><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> </span></font><font
 size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>12:56 PM</span></font><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> The Adult English Language
Learners Discussion List<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [EnglishLanguage 3204]
Using case histories to get advice fromother ESL teachers</span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Pax all!</span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Janet Isserlis has
mentioned something that I am becoming more interested in when asking my peers
about teaching issues with my students: case histories.</span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Has anyone here used them
in an &#8220;official&#8221; capacity to network with your fellow ESL teachers?
I am working on an on-line course using them, and I thought it might be a good
way to give my fellow teachers enough info to help me when I need advice. I
belong to an officially-sanctioned peer-ESL teacher group in NW PA, and we
often turn to each other for advice. What &#8220;fields&#8221; would we need to
get a good feel for a student? Any help would be greatly appreciated!</span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

<div>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Martin E. Senger</span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><strong><b><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Adult
ESL / Civics Teacher,</span></font></b></strong></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>G.E.C.A.C. / The R.
Banjamin Wiley </span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
  style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Learning</span></font><font
 size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
 color:navy'> </span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
  style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Center</span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
  style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Erie</span></font><font
 size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
 color:navy'>, </span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
  style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Pa.</span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><strong><b><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>ESL
Co-Director,</span></font></b></strong></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
  style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Pa.</span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'> Assoc. for Adult Continuing Education (PAACE)</span></font></p>

</div>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in'><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>-----Original Message-----<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>From:</span></b>
englishlanguage-bounces@nifl.gov [mailto:englishlanguage-bounces@nifl.gov] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Janet Isserlis<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> </span></font><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>Tuesday,
 December 02, 2008</span></font><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> </span></font><font
 size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>12:29 PM</span></font><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> The Adult English Language
Learners Discussion List<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [EnglishLanguage 3203]
Re: ESL Teacher Training</span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:
1.0in'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>MaryAnn
and all<br>
<br>
Thanks for this &#8211; and for the specific mention of case studies as a way
of bringing ancillary (or 'soft') skills to the foreground. &nbsp;It is
difficult to measure what a 'good' practitioner does, but easier, maybe, to
look at behaviors, and the knowledge and attitudes that inform those behaviors.<br>
<br>
So, for example, if I know that a Chinese speaker might repeat an adjective for
emphasis in Cantonese, that might help me understand how she constructs
language in her head; if I've spent time with her and her family and hear that
use of language in Cantonese (which i don't speak, but do ask her about), then
that gives me some small understanding of her use of language. &nbsp;If I spend
break and other out-of-class time with learners and see what matters to them,
or have lived in any other culture/country/setting outside my comfort zone and see
that there are ways of doing things that may differ from my own; if I sit in on
another teacher's class &#8212; all of these things remind me that we each
frame things in our own ways. &nbsp;I don't need to know, necessarily, in
advance, what each situation will look like, but I do need to understand that
I'll need to be aware of things like personal space, eye contact, tone of
voice, which fork to use, or when chopsticks can be used in a communal bowl and
when they can't. &nbsp;All of which to say that I DON'T need to know everything
about everything, but do need to know that there are frameworks and
assumptions/expectations in each setting. &nbsp;This knowledge does have a
bearing on how I work as a teacher or teacher trainer, and teaches me to (TRY)
to remember to listen and observe closely. &nbsp;<br>
<br>
Teaching (direct ESOL teaching as well as facilitating professional
development) has to be informed by what we know as educators &#8211; and that
has to include ways of developing ongoing assessment of what our learners know
and want to know, and a sensitivity to how they best come to know those things.<br>
<br>
So, examination of case studies, viewing of videos. etc can all provide
concrete examples through which to observe, discuss and understand the
complicated processes that contribute to good teaching.<br>
<br>
Janet Isserlis</span></font></p>

<div style='margin-left:.5in'>

<div style='margin-left:.5in'>

<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=1
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>

<hr size=3 width="95%" align=center>

</span></font></div>

</div>

</div>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in'><b><font size=1
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-weight:bold'>From: </span></font></b><font
size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>MaryAnn Florez
&lt;mflorez@dclearns.org&gt;<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Reply-To: </span></b>The Adult English
Language Learners Discussion List &lt;englishlanguage@nifl.gov&gt;<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Date: </span></b></span></font><font size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>Tue, 2 Dec 2008</span></font><font size=1><span
style='font-size:9.0pt'> </span></font><font size=1><span style='font-size:
 9.0pt'>11:48:22</span></font><font size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'> -0500<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To: </span></b>'The Adult English Language
Learners Discussion List' &lt;englishlanguage@nifl.gov&gt;<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject: </span></b>[EnglishLanguage 3202]
Re: ESL Teacher Training<br>
<br>
</span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Hello Lynda and all:<br>
&nbsp;<br>
As I often find on this discussion list, I&#8217;m fascinated with the many
perspectives and points that are being laid on the table in response to
Lynda&#8217;s original question. &nbsp;Once again, I am reminded of things that
I have forgotten or tucked away, validated in some of the things that I believe
and practice, and challenged by points that are poking at my particular
paradigm. &nbsp;Oh, if every conversation or exchange could do all those
things, I&#8217;d be such a better teacher---and person!<br>
&nbsp;<br>
One of the things that keeps coming to the forefront for me in many of the
comments that have been posted is what I&#8217;ll call&#8212;for lack of a
better term--the &#8220;soft skills&#8221; that teachers need to have and be
able to use. &nbsp;I have been working with teacher preparation and
professional development for some time, and while we&#8217;re always
incorporating and refining the language learning and best practices skills and
knowledge that teachers need to better support their learners, I also
can&#8217;t help but constantly think about where and how the nurturing of soft
skills fits in. I&#8217;m talking about things like interpersonal skills, not
only intercultural skills, but general facility in interacting one-to-one and
in groups, and general behaviors like curiosity, openness, empathy, engagement,
and personal and professional flexibility that are very important in an
instructional situation. &nbsp;I think a number of people touched on such
issues, for example in discussing the many benefits of the experience of living
and functioning in another culture and language, as well as learners&#8217;
responses to teacher enthusiasm and openness. &nbsp;I have no doubt that
everyone sees the value of such skills. &nbsp;But it is a tricky area, so how
do we approach it (and I realize some people may even say we can&#8217;t
really, as it&#8217;s beyond our purview)? &nbsp;I try to do it by being
mindful when I select case studies or examples to use in trainings. &nbsp;I
include prompts around such aspects in analysis of video samples viewed.
&nbsp;I laud such behaviors in teacher observation debriefings or incorporate
them in suggestions for ways to approach teaching challenges. In preparation
courses, I have asked participants to make connections between teacher behaviors
and language learning theories and methods.<br>
&nbsp;<br>
Does anyone else have any comments or examples of how they approach soft
skills?<br>
&nbsp;<br>
Thanks.<br>
&nbsp;<br>
MaryAnn <br>
&nbsp;<br>
&nbsp;<br>
&nbsp;<br>
</span></font><font size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><br>
</span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;color:navy'>MaryAnn Florez<br>
Project Director<br>
</span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
  font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Adult</span></font><font size=2 color=navy
 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font><font
  size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
  color:navy'>Education</span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
 style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font><font
  size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
  color:navy'>Professional</span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
 style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font><font
  size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
  color:navy'>Development</span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
 style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font><font
  size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
  color:navy'>Center</span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><br>
D.C. LEARNs<br>
</span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
  font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Washington</span></font><font size=2
 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
 color:navy'>, </span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
  style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>DC</span></font><font
 size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
 color:navy'> </span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
  style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>20006</span></font></p>

<div style='margin-left:.5in'>

<div style='margin-left:.5in'>

<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>

<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>

</span></font></div>

</div>

</div>

<p style='margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:1.0in'><b><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:
bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> englishlanguage-bounces@nifl.gov [<a
href="mailto:englishlanguage-bounces@nifl.gov%5d">mailto:englishlanguage-bounces@nifl.gov]</a>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Joyce Bogdan<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> </span></font><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>Saturday,
 November 29, 2008</span></font><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> </span></font><font
 size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>1:48 PM</span></font><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> The Adult English Language Learners
Discussion List<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [EnglishLanguage 3164]
Re: ESL Teacher Training<br>
</span></font><br>
<font size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><br>
</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>Lynda,<br>
Yes, I think that the ESOL English for Speakers of Other Languages programs do
adequately prepare teachers. &nbsp;Mine is a MA in education from UConn, </span></font><font
  size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Univ.</span></font><font
 size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> of </span></font><font
  size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Connecticut</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>-the
certification is bilingual/bicultural ESOL N, K-12, adults. &nbsp;It is a
master program which includes teaching ESOL students, methods, strategies,
materials, practical application, &nbsp;validating cultures, learning about
cultural expectations, linguistics, statistics, brain studies that relate to
language acquisition, additional language acquistion in the theories and
methods. &nbsp;I also have completed a 6th year in additional coursework with
reading, differentiated instruction,etc. <br>
<br>
My students usually are from about 14 different language groups during one
year. &nbsp;Even between Spanish speaking students there is a range of cultural
similarities and differences. &nbsp;I have taught all levels (grade and ESOL
levels). &nbsp;I presently teach middle school, adult beginners and am a
university instructor to mainstream teachers. This year many of my students are
from </span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
  font-family:Arial'>Nepal</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> and </span></font><font size=2
  face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Tibet</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>. <br>
<br>
If you are interested in a 3 credit Independent Studies graduate course
&quot;Teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages (TELLs&quot;) that you
can complete at home, e-mail me directly. &nbsp;It is from </span></font><font
  size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Chapman</span></font><font
 size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> </span></font><font
  size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>University</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> in CA.
&nbsp;<br>
Joyce Bogdan<br>
ESOL teacher</span></font></p>

<div style='margin-left:.5in'>

<div style='margin-left:.5in'>

<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>

<hr size=1 width="100%" align=center>

</span></font></div>

</div>

</div>

<p style='margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:1.0in'><b><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:
bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> LYNDA OSBORNE &lt;lyndaosborne@att.net&gt;<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> The Adult English Language
Learners Discussion List &lt;englishlanguage@nifl.gov&gt;<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> </span></font><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>Friday, November
 28, 2008</span></font><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma'> </span></font><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
 style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>9:49:55 AM</span></font><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [EnglishLanguage 3161]
Re: ESL Teacher Training<br>
</span></font><font size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><br>
</span></font>Greetings, everyone.<br>
<font size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><br>
</span></font><br>
<font size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><br>
</span></font>Quick query. I'm an elementary school teacher and have wondered,
&quot;Are ESL teachers required to learn the linguistic frameworks of their
students' primary languages?&quot; &nbsp;My current school does not have an ESL
program, but I did work at a school several years ago that had one. I had about
33% Mexican-American Spanish-speaking students and found that their learning
and use of English improved during my time with them. This may be because I
speak Spanish and know the basics of the language's grammatical/conversational
structure. I feel this knowledge helped me to better support English learning
and conceptual understandings with these students. I know that there are some
ESL courses that prepare teachers in this field over a 6-week summer course,
which I'm not certain would be quite enough time to expose teachers to a
variety of linguistic constucts [languages] if they didn't already have such
knowledge. <br>
<font size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><br>
</span></font><br>
<font size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><br>
</span></font>My success with those students may also be attributed to their
level of comfort with me knowing that I respected them [and their language
enough to learn and practice, etc.]. Since language is so intricately tied to
the thinking process, a teacher's ability to &quot;understand where a student
is coming from&quot; in terms of how they think and speak [and culture] can
serve to motivate student learning and help the teacher to access gaps, needs,
strengths, etc. I suppose that my final question rounds out to be, &quot;What
is the general focus for ESL training and do you think that ESL teachers are
prepared adequately in these training programs?<br>
<font size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><br>
</span></font><br>
<font size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><br>
</span></font>Thanks for your input!<br>
<font size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><br>
</span></font><br>
<font size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><br>
</span></font>Lynda Lee<br>
<font size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><br>
</span></font><br>
<font size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><br>
</span></font><i><font color=blue><span style='color:blue;font-style:italic'>Lynda
Lee Osborne<br>
</span></font></i><font size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><br>
</span></font><i><font color=blue><span style='color:blue;font-style:italic'>Teacher
of the Year 2008-9 <br>
</span></font></i><font size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><br>
</span></font><i><font color=blue><span style='color:blue;font-style:italic'>FLL
Robotics Coach<br>
</span></font></i><font size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><br>
</span></font><i><font color=blue><span style='color:blue;font-style:italic'>Global
Economics Project Coordinator<br>
</span></font></i><font size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><br>
</span></font><i><font color=blue><span style='color:blue;font-style:italic'>A.
Philip Randolph Elementary <br>
</span></font></i><font size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><br>
</span></font><i><font color=blue><span style='color:blue;font-style:italic'>Fulton
County Schools<br>
</span></font></i><font size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><br>
</span></font><i><span style='font-style:italic'>lyndaosborne@att.net</span></i>
<a href="mailto:lyndaosborne@att.net">&lt;mailto:lyndaosborne@att.net&gt;</a> <br>
<font size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><br>
</span></font><br>
&nbsp;</p>

<div style='margin-left:.5in'>

<div style='margin-left:.5in'>

<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>

<hr size=1 width="100%" align=center>

</span></font></div>

</div>

</div>

<p style='margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:1.0in'><b><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:
bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> &quot;Liden, Astrid&quot;
&lt;Astrid.Liden@state.mn.us&gt;<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> englishlanguage@nifl.gov<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> </span></font><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>Tuesday,
 November 25, 2008</span></font><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> </span></font><font
 size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>12:17:02
 PM</span></font><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma'><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [EnglishLanguage 3158]
ESL Learners with Low Levels of Literacy<br>
</span></font><font size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><br>
</span></font><b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Special Topic:</span></b><font
size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'> <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Research
and Best Practice Concerning the Instruction of ESL Learners with Low Levels of
Literacy<br>
</span></b></span></font>We are pleased to announce that the 25th anniversary
volume of the MinneWITESOL Journal is now available online at
www.minnewitesoljournal.org <a href="http://www.minnewitesoljournal.org/">&lt;http://www.minnewitesoljournal.org/&gt;</a>
. The first section of this volume includes articles that concentrate on our
special topic: research and best practice concerning the instruction of ESL
learners with low levels of literacy. &nbsp;Articles include an overview of
research-based methods for teaching ESL students with low levels of literacy, a
report on a year-long research study on teaching learning strategies to
students with low levels of literacy, and several reviews of materials for
low-literacy students.<br>
<font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Astrid
Liden</span></font><font size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'> <br>
</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>ABE Professional Development Coordinator</span></font><font size=1><span
style='font-size:9.0pt'> <br>
</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>Minnesota Department of Education</span></font><font size=1><span
style='font-size:9.0pt'> <br>
</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>Adult Basic Education (ABE)</span></font><font size=1><span
style='font-size:9.0pt'> <br>
</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>1500 Highway 36 West</span></font><font size=1><span style='font-size:
9.0pt'> <br>
</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>Roseville, MN 55113-4266</span></font><font size=1><span
style='font-size:9.0pt'> <br>
</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>Phone: 651-582-8424</span></font><font size=1><span style='font-size:
9.0pt'> <br>
</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>Fax: 651-634-5154</span></font><font size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>
<br>
</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>Email: astrid.liden@state.mn.us</span></font><font size=1><span
style='font-size:9.0pt'> <br>
<br>
</span></font><br>
&nbsp;</p>

<div style='margin-left:.5in'>

<div style='margin-left:.5in'>

<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=1
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>

<hr size=3 width="95%" align=center>

</span></font></div>

</div>

</div>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:9.0pt'>----------------------------------------------------<br>
National Institute for Literacy<br>
Adult English Language Learners mailing list<br>
EnglishLanguage@nifl.gov<br>
To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to <a
href="http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/englishlanguage">http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/englishlanguage</a><br>
Email delivered to janet_isserlis@brown.edu</span></font></p>

</div>

</body>

</html>