ED 4562

ADVANCED STUDIES IN ESL EDUCATION

Professor Sally Rehorick

Winter 2001

Marshall D'Avray Hall

Email: sallyr@unb.ca

Telephone: 453-5136

Fax: 453-4777


 

ABOUT THE COURSE


This course will build on the course content of ED3561, Introduction to Second Language Education, which addressed the basic knowledge and skills needed by teachers to teach second languages effectively in a classroom environment. Having examined some important theoretical concepts on second language learning and teaching as well as some techniques for curriculum development, lesson planning and classroom methods, we will now turn our attention to expanding this basic knowledge.

We will continue to use the multidimensional curriculum and will examine how,in particular, this design can be effectively used to teach language through content. Students will be given opportunities to develop complete units of instruction which include a variety of components such as literature, computer programs, online resources, and videos. We will examine several sample ESL programs, classes and materials as well as samples of ESL student work. Finally, students will learn how to use a language proficiency model (the Canadian Language Benchmarks) as an aid to developing materials and methods, and for understanding language development and student assessment.

Since teachers have increasing access to excellent electronic resources such as computers and the World Wide Web, it is important to gain first-hand knowledge and experience with the use (both possibilities and limitations) of such resources. The majority of the course will be delivered online via WebCT, the course presentation system available through the UNB website. We will be using the online component in much the same way that you can use such resources for your own teaching. Thus you will learn by doing. You will spend time using the technology as a way to access information, to work on individual and cooperative problem solving, and to display and publish your work in a creative way.

Although the course is "online", this does not mean that it is an individually paced course. On the contrary, most of the class activities will be interactive — with the instructor and among students. There will be class discussions, pair and group work, and opportunities to interact with the instructor and ask questions and reflect on your learnings.

Some of our meetings will be face-to-face. These are tentatively scheduled as follows:

January 9, January 16, February 20, March 20. You will notified of any changes to this schedule.


 

RESOURCES

Human resources

We are fortunate to have Rob Evans and Jason Reath from C-Space in the faculty of education to give us an introduction to WebCT and the FITness modules available for your use. In addition, Paula Kristmanson, Research Officer in the Second Language Education Centre, will be assisting with the design and delivery of this course.


Books and library resources

The following required books are available at the UNB Bookstore:

Online resources

http://courses.unb.ca - this is the UNB system for course presentation online (WebCt). To log on to this site, you will need your UNB user ID and your pin number. I will be posting all course information, including assignments, on this website. In addition there will be group and individual activities as well as class discussions. You will also be putting most of your assignments on WebCt.

http://www.unb.ca/slec/ At this site, you will find numerous links to resources and information about teaching ESL.


Computers

You will need access to a computer which has Internet access for using WebCt. You can use the computer labs (PC) in Marshall D’Avray Hall and, on Tuesdays from 5 until 7, you can use our IMIL (Mac) classroom (Room 237).

If you need additional help in using the Macintosh computers (after our first class tutorial), you can go to the Audiovisual Lab and Library of the Eaton Multimedia Centre and request either personal assistance from Vicki MacLeod or Dana Hope, or use one of the many tutorials available on the computers. You will need to reserve time on these computers since they are booked quite heavily by students. Vickie and Dana will be able to help especially with the hardware (the computer itself).

We will be integrating some online training modules for you to use, in order to familiarize you with the use of the computers and related resources (the FITNESS modules).


 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Full participation in this course is required of all students. Participation will be graded based on the quantity and quality of meaningful contributions to the "communications" component of this web enhanced course.

Course participation - 20% - This will be measured by attendance at the face-to-face classes and by your participation in online discussions.

Class tasks, assignments and quizzes - 15%

Group/pair project — 20%

Midterm test - 20%

Individual project - 25%