YEAR 9 ISSUE 4
OCTOBER/DECEMBER 2014
ESL Newsletter INDIAN RIVER STATE COLLEGE SPECIAL POINTS OF
A Word From Our Dean, Dr. Marta Yera-Cronin
INTEREST: EASY LINKS ECO Wise
INSIDE THIS
The holidays offer unique opportunities to center lessons around different cultural customs. Let’s consider what individuals from certain countries eat during the holidays:
ISSUE: A Word From Our Dean, Dr. Marta Yera-Cronin Best Practices by Dr. Linton Smith Notes from the Chair by Judy Martin-Hall
1
2
3
Hands-on
4
Learn a Little
6
In The Spotlight
7
Techno Tips by Suzanne Ensmann
8
Important Dates
9
Words of Wisdom
10
And Much More...
Greece: The main Christmas meal is often lamb or pork, roasted in an over or over an open spit. It’s often served with spinach and cheese pie. A popular Christmas dessert is malomakarono, egg or oblong-shaped biscuits/cakes made from flour, olive oil and honey and rolled in chopped walnuts. Czech Republic: The traditional Christmas meal consists of fish soup (made with carp), and fried carp with potato salad. Denmark: On Christmas day, people have a big lunch together with Danish open-faced sandwiches on rye bread. Most families have a “ris a la mande”, a special kind of bread pudding made of milk, rice, vanilla almonds and whipped cream for dessert. Trinidad: The Christmas day meal is usually prepared throughout mid-December and into the new year and consists of “ponche-de-crème” (a version of egg nog), ham, turkey, homemade bread, ginger beer, “pastelles” (a version of tamales) and local wine. A fruitcake is traditional and is eaten in most homes. Nigeria: In addition to serving turkey, a traditional Christmas meal in Nigeria may include beef, goat, sheep, ram or chicken. Other dishes might include pounded yam, rice, vegetable salad and some type of stew. Wouldn’t some of these make for interesting conversations in the classroom? As you end this year and move into the new one, make a resolution to plan some of your lessons around interesting aspects of the cultural backgrounds of the students you teach. You’ll find that your students’ education will be all the more enriched. Happy Holidays!
YEAR 9 ISSUE 4
PA G E 2
Best Practices by Dr. Linton Smith
L
et me begin this way. 7 year s ag o, Tom Manwaring, Developmental Education Specialist of ESL, GED and the ASC Lab at the Mueller campus, requested that I create a special class for high-end ESL students. We had both observed many ESL students who tried - and usually failed - to transition successfully from ESL into the GED program, into college degree classes, or into further work in the ASC Lab. This new class - the "Thursday class" was meant to create a bridge for success for these ESL students. As I pondered this assignment, it became apparent to me that the CASAS paradigm was an insufficient basis for academic success beyond ESL classes. The CASAS paradigm is meant to create functional English skills that can be used to fill out job applications, ask basic questions of a mechanic, and do other things required for successful function in society. In my opinion, the ESL program is the best program in the college for lifting language students off the bottom and helping them become competent in everyday social interactions. However, none of the tests for college programs
are focused upon these functional English skills. Instead, all college programs beyond ESL are built upon academic English skills. These academic English skills are not the focus of the CASAS materials, but they are the focus of the ASC Lab materials, which include developmental education and TABE materials. These resources teach such things as dependent and independent clauses, logical inferences, accurate interpretation of poetry, recognition of argumentation and writer's bias, etc. Therefore, the ASC materials, not the CASAS materials, were the proper bridge for ESL students into the GED program and college degree programs. Based on these observations, a deliberate hybrid program was created. The caring, personal, teacherdriven paradigm of ESL was wedded to the academic English materials of the ASC Lab. A minimum commitment of l year of focused language study is required of students in this program. I am happy to report that the hybrid has produced a long string of successes. Let me give some examples of that success. First, a long string of TABE scores in
the 10 - 12.9 range has been documented - in reading, in language, and in math. Second, students from the "Thursday class" have gone on to complete 6-month, 1-year, 2 -year, and 4-year degree programs at IRSC. Third, so far, there has been a 100% successful completion rate for Thursday students who have registered into IRSC degree programs. Fourth, 2 students from the Thursday class have been invited into the IRSC Honors Program, and both of them will be going into graduate school after IRSC. Fifth, two students from the Thursday class have qualified as Adjunct Faculty at IRSC; one is currently teaching in the Economics Division. As you can see, this hybrid ESL-ASC program for ESL and international students has significant relevance for ESL students desiring to enter IRSC classes. I thank Ms. Jennifer Johnson and Tom Manwaring for the opportunity to write about this. â—Š
Guest Contributor: Dr. Linton Smith IRSC Instructor Indian River County Mueller Campus
YEAR 9 ISSUE 4
PA G E 3
Notes from the Chair by Judy Martin-Hall ESL Department Dear ESL & IRSC Family, as another holiday season approaches, we reflect upon our blessings and are reminded of the many things for which we are thankful. John Kennedy once said,, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” I extend a special thanks to each of you for the many things you do each day to help our students achieve their goals. In so doing, you don’t just utter words of gratitude but truly live them. So a heartfelt thanks for the difference you make every day with your actions. I hope you go into these holidays remembering that we are rich with many things which cannot be measured in dollars – good friends, compassionate colleagues, and students who value the gift of education that you give them. Please be proud of the difference you make! And may you have a holiday season filled with happy moments to make you smile and a new year full of the promise of new possibilities. Best wishes, Judy
Important Dates Teacher timesheets due …………………………………………………..December 11, 2014 Last Day of Class for 2014 (Students)…………………………………...December 11, 2014 Winter Break (All sites and campuses) ……………December 20, 2014 - January 4, 2015 Offices Open ………………………………………………………………..……January 5. 2014 First Day of Class (students and instructors) ……………………………...…January 7, 2015 HOLIDAY - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. ………………………………….…January 19, 2015 Teacher timesheets due ………………………………….………………...…January 27, 2015 Professional Enhancement Day (No classes, day and night) ……….…February 27, 2015 *HOLIDAY - Spring Break ………………………………………………..March 16 – 20 , 2015
AP
PA G E 4
YEAR 9 ISSUE 4
Hands-on On October 4th, members of three IRSC student clubs meet down on the shore of the Indian River Lagoon for a service learning project. Students from the Science Club, The Tomeu Mentors, and Lambda Beta Delta got together to bolster the health of the Lagoon. Working with local marine biologists, the students participated in an oyster reef restoration effort, where they placed clumps of oysters in the shallow waters exposed at low tide. “It was a great experience,” said Jeruscha Toussaint, a senior at IRSC’s Adult High School, “because it allowed me to get closer to nature, and learn about our local marine environment.” While some of the participants had experience exploring the lagoon, for many of them it was their first time getting an intimate glimpse into the biodiversity that the waters hold. “It is amazing seeing all the little creatures the water, ones you would never even think about when driving your car over the bridge,” one of the students remarked.” Freshly enthused after this successful event, the students are eagerly planning their next service learning project. If you have any ideas or know of specific needs in our community, please feel free to send them to Clark Lewis at rlewis@irsc.edu If you wish to add your Hands-On story to the next ESL newsletter and involve more people, get in touch with us and let us know how we can help make a difference.
in
E-mail us at Hands-on
ECO
Wise
Home for the Holidays…? How about some green solutions after the holidays. For those of you wine and beer connoisseurs who entertain during the holidays there is a great green solution for your holiday “cheers.” Collect and save all the beer and wine bottles you and your friends go through during the holidays. If you are a crafty person, and even if you are not, this idea will provide you and your friends with a new and unique set of glasses. Wine and beer bottles make great beverage sets. Follow the links and learn how you can “cheer on” all year long. http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/bottle-art-keepsake-bottle-kit-236083/ http://www.delphiglass.com/books-patterns-dvds/instructional-reference/bottle-art http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTD5hGTwCd4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggEYZTvmWis
AP
YEAR 9 ISSUE 4
PA G E 5
Professional Development Offerings from LINCS ELL-U—The Best “ESL Specific” PD Available Second Language Acquisition Teaching Emergent Readers Formative Assessment The Role of Culture Principles of Second Language Teaching
Learning to Achieve
Learning Disabilities and Accommodations Learning Disabilities and English Language learners Learning Disabilities and Neuroscience Professional’s Guide to Educating Adults
LINCS Science
Engaging Adult Learners in Science Scientific Practices in Context
LINCS Technology and Learning
Integrating Technology in the Adult Education Classroom
Adult Career Pathways
Building Strategic Partnerships Developing Effective Bridge Programs Designing Contextualized Instruction Integrating Career Counseling and Planning Engaging Employers in Adult Career Pathways
LINCS Learning Portal Log In
https://auth.lincs.ed.gov/idp/Authn/UserPassword
Learning To Achieve (L2A)
For those of our newsletter readers who wish to expand their knowledge of Adults with Learning Disabilities, there are now more modules being offered online by LINCS. If you wish to take the online modules follow these simple steps: 1. Go to http://moodle.cls.utk.edu/login/index.php 2. Click on "Create New Account" 3. Enter the Enrollment key = LTARRCII 4. Upon module completion and survey completion you will receive a certificate.
English Language Learner University (ELL-U)
ELL-U is now a member of the LINCS family (Literacy Information and Communication System). You may access all ELL-U resources by visiting the LINCS page at http://lincs.ed.gov/programs/ell-u/ “ELL-U was a free professional development network for ESOL practitioners. The resources developed through this federally-funded initiative were designed to broaden, deepen, and strengthen the knowledge and skills of educators working with adult ELLs. ESOL practitioners and ELLs may continue to leverage these resources and the network of practitioners where hey now reside on the LINCS site. Follow the links below to explore these evidencebased, high quality courses and resources. The National Adult English Language Learning Professional Development Network is a “Professional Development Portal for Adult ESOL Educators.” (http://lincs.ed.gov/programs/ell-u/) AP
YEAR 9 ISSUE 4
PA G E 6
Learn a Little The Conditioned Has it ever happened to you? You are walking on the street, getting out of your car, eating with friends, and you bump into a “beggar,” “a hobo,” “a bum.”? You are actually bumping into another human being. Although sometimes “they” just appear to be an inconvenience, a nuisance, a problem… If you take the time you will discover that behind the missing teeth, the “offensive odor,” and the abrupt personality, there is a story to tell. Follow the link and meet Raimundo Arruda Sobrinho, The Conditioned.
AP
AP
Recovering Hope Sometimes it is not about you touching someone’s life. In reality, you are the one being touched and transformed by the random acts of kindness. Many times we jump to help because it feels good, it looks good to do a good deed. However, guess what? You are the one being transformed. The good deed is on you. Random Acts of Kindness is one of the seven habits of happy people. It is not about the goodness you do onto others, but how goodness transforms you through random acts of kindness. Click the image to see how as educators we can cultivate random acts of kindness within ourselves and our students to generate change that starts from within.
AP
YEAR 9 ISSUE 4
In The Spotlight
PA G E 7 PARADE OF NATIONS 2014 INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK AT IRSC
AP
YEAR 9 ISSUE 4
PAGE 8
Techno Tips by Suzanne Ensmann Technology and Fitness As we approach the holidays, I ask you to consider this a time to turn off the desk computer (yes, I actually said that) and literally move! This month I share a project with you which my fellow classmates and I created in an effort towards improving our health, while benefiting others along the way. Next issue we’ll look at the benefits of how fitness and health relate to students’ academic performance, and how we can capture this data with wearable technologies! “I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.” Mother Theresa My classmates and I live 971 miles apart yet worked collaboratively using technologies online to accomplish this mission. Our goal was to empower others to get active, increase those endorphins, improve performance and life! Synchronously, we worked “face-to-face” using Google Hangouts, Google Docs, Google Present, and Weebly. Our biggest find was actually discovered by one of my students, however. Twoodo is a Web 2.0 planning tool designed to organize teams with useful accountability measures. Since educators around the nation are using Twitter for PD, hashtags are also an ingenious components embedded within this tool. So enjoy these important tools to engage YOUR students. Ask me for guidance. What to do in the meantime? Check out our final project and let us know how you’re MOVING over the holidays! Enjoy your break, wonderful teachers! http://runningwithapurpose.weebly.com/
Using Local Government and Community Resources to Engage ESL Students Would you like to involve your students more in their local community? There is a way for your ESL students to learn how local government works, and at the same time participate actively and contribute to their local community. Give them a schedule of City Council meetings, and invite them to attend. General public has the right of word before the council for 3 minutes or less. It may vary depending on the city. However, if they are in the agenda for the meeting they have more time. The links below take you directly to City Council meeting schedules in the four-county area.
AP
YEAR 9 ISSUE 4
PAGE 9
Fall 2014 Student Recognition Ceremony The Fall 2014 Student Recognition ceremony took place on November 19 at the Kight Center. Students accompanied by teachers from the GED, ESL and Adult High School Programs together with family and friends attended to celebrate the many accomplishments of these very deserving students. The pictures show happy faces, the faces of those of our students who excel by overcoming many obstacles to achieve their goals of a successful career. Congratulations to all, and thanks to the teachers and mentors who not only help but inspire their students to fulfill their dreams. AP
PAGE 10
YEAR 9 ISSUE 4
EASY LINKS
How to take care of our seasonal visitors… Cold and Flu Follow the links below to learn about some very useful information on how to Survive Cold and Flu Season. http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/prevention-relief-13/slideshow-cold-flu-tips http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/features/flu-survival-kit http://www.drsinatra.com/7-ways-to-survive-cold-and-flu-season-naturally http://www.azcentral.com/story/money/2014/09/11/tips-staying-healthy-cold-flu-season/15494009/ http://www.rodalenews.com/natural-swine-flu-remedies AP
Words of Wisdom "Success is not measured by what you accomplish but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds." “Learning to handle problems is like lifting weights: The more we do, the stronger we become. Remember that you have probably learned the most, during the most difficult times in your life. You are a stronger person as a result of those times. Remember that as you face your next challenge. “ Orison Swett Marden "For every problem, there exists a solution...and at the very least...an opportunity." Michael McMillan You can live each day in a world filled with 'problems', or rise each morning and embrace a world filled with unseen solutions...eager for you to find them. The decision is yours...both worlds exist. The one you choose is the one you will create." Michael McMillan AP
In My Bucket List… The Marvels of Nature… Crystal Caves in Iceland and The most Spectacular view of The Aurora Borealis AKA Northern Lights Follow the link to see more. http://youtu.be/RIQqVqQs9Xs AP
SHARE YOUR STORIES AND BEST PRACTICES WITH US. AND REMEMBER: “IF YOU HAVE NEWS TO TELL AND BEST PRACTICES TO SHARE… THE ESL NEWSLETTER IS THE BEST WAY.”
AP
WE ARE ON THE WEB IRSC Mission Statement Indian River State College is a comprehensive college accredited to award Baccalaureate Degrees, Associate Degrees, and Career and Technical Certificates. As a leader in education and innovation, IRSC transforms lives by offering high-quality, affordable and accessible education to the residents of Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie counties through traditional and electronic delivery. We commit to: • Creating a superior teaching and learning environment • Cultivating student success • Embracing diversity • Stimulating economic growth • Developing a highly-skilled workforce • Building partnerships to expand opportunities • Providing cultural enrichment and lifelong learning