I just read in the Learning The Language blog (http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/learning-the-language/2008/11/state_department_to_create_onl.html) about a new State Department plan to create an online EFL program for students outside of the United States.

Is this going to be connected to USA Learns?  Does anybody know anything about this?

Larry Ferlazzo
Luther Burbank High School
Sacramento, CA


-----Original Message-----
From: Leslie Petty <leslie.lpetty at gmail.com>
To: specialtopics at nifl.gov
Sent: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 4:28 am
Subject: [SpecialTopics 1147] Re: We are enthused with USA Learns!


Theresa,
What a wonderful model!  You've found a way to combine the social element of language learning with the technology-based approach.  I'd love to hear more from you as it progresses. 




Your observation that learners with high levels of education in their heritage language and computer skills picked up very quickly matches what we observed in the usability testing we did.  But we also found that students with lower levels of education in their home countries (sixth grade or lower), at beginning ESL levels and with only modest computer skills were also able to effectively use the site.  They used a straightforward approach and went through the activities sequentially (by clicking "take me to my next activity" when they signed-in to the site) but made steady progress.  There were some technical demands that were challenging for them, but they didn't deter the students from using the site.  These basic skills could
 certainly be developed in a traditional classroom program or in the FTF component of your approach.  In fact, many of these students significantly exceeded the amount of time we asked them to spend in the site during the usability test.  They were also very interested in having family members and friends use the site (another reason I find your model so exciting).  




Thanks for sharing your experience and insight.




Leslie


On Wed, Nov 19, 2008 at 5:26 AM, Theresa Pagano <manos at twcny.rr.com> wrote:




Buenos días a todos.  

 

This is my first time corresponding with all of you.

 

I have just introduced USA Learns to the mid-intermediate ESOL adult learners at the West Side Learning Center.  (past two weeks) 

We have established a specific time and day each week for a Learners' Circle.  Interested ELL adults and a facilitator meet to discuss, share, and clarify any topics of choice from the learners' USA Learns experiences.  We hope to evolve into a 'language partners' format (peer-to-peer) with language partners deciding on their face-to-face meeting time and place.  A quarterly get-together of everyone participating is planned for Saturdays, including 'la familia'.

 

We are introducing USA Learns to our local library branches for those learners without home-based technology. 

 

Observation:  Those learners with higher formal education in their heritage language and experience with technology have become engaged in USA Learns20very quickly.  Others have become so motivated by the integration of language and technology learning that they arrive early and stay later than class times in order to use it.

 

I enjoy the information shared through these Special Topics conversations.

 

Hasta pronto,

 


Theresa Pagano

MANOS and West Side Learning Center

Partners in Learning, Inc. & Syracuse City School District

"A community connected by diverse cultural and language-learning experiences."

(315) 435-4967

manos at twcny.rr.com

 


 















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