Wonderful story, Holly!

Nicole
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Holly Dilatush-Guthrie" <Holly.Dilatush-Guthrie at ccs.k12.va.us>
To: <specialtopics at nifl.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2006 10:11 PM
Subject: [SpecialTopics 135] Re: Persistence Strategies



> Hello all, a delayed response from Holly here -- 

> This:

> >>> cnaamh at rcn.com 7/10/2006 9:23 PM >>>

> I agree with you, Bruce.  High-quality instruction in a supportive

environment is key and has many components.  We may have to re-define
success for funders but for students feeling successful NOW is a key element
of persistence.  We evaluate every activity and every class.  All students
should leave every class with a feeling of success.  I try my best to have
students leave, even the first class, with something they can use now.

>  Nicole B. Graves

> South Deerfield, MA>>

> ...reminded me of an experience I had teaching a workplace ESL (Hotel

employees) class a few years back -- after the third 2 hour class,
IMMEDIATELY after the class, as we were exiting the classroom space, the
employees' supervisor asked the students/employees:  "Well, what did you
learn today?"   (she asked this to the group, and then repeated her question
individually to each employee -- ).   The first response, "Nothing."   The
second response, "nothing."   etc.  etc. ---   What I learned from this:   a
new daily scheduled activity at the end of each class -- practicing
(verbally) "What did you learn today?" answers!   <grins!>

>

> So, students left feeling success, KNOWING how to articulate that

success -- both in simple written format (like writing a memo to their
supervisor) and in simple spoken English format...

>

> and I learned to quiz the supervisor before the following class, "Well,

what DID they learn last class?" --

> it became a win-win-win --- and continued the contract!

> [supervisors then added, based on the students/employees feedback, 5

minutes language exchange show & tell at monthly staff meetings -- where
everyone had to share what they'd learned -- in  a language of their choice!

> Hooray for multilingualism -- hooray for feelings of success -- hooray for

articulated mini-goals.... etc.

> persistence -- motivation -- and hooray for continued funding!

> Holly

>

>

> "No matter what our attempts to inform, it is our ability to inspire that

will turn the tides."

> Holly Dilatush

> ESL distance learning, Dialogue Cafe, Volunteer coordinator

> Charlottesville City Schools Adult Learning Center

> 1000 Preston Ave., Suite D

> Charlottesville  VA  22903

> (434) 245.2815 office

> (434) 960.7177 cell/mobile

> http://theHsmile.org  ['home' to several Moodle CMS (course management

systems/virtual classrooms)]

> http://www.Charlottesville-ESL.org

> "Live with intention. Share inside~out smiles, inspire hope, seek awe and

nurture in nature."

>

> -------------------------------

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