Introduction to TESOL
Assignments

The following page provides course assignment information. Assignments and dates are tentative and may be adjusted depending on class progress. Changes appear in red.

 

A. Required Readings: Due dates: As assigned.

Students are expected to read the assigned reading before the class. Students will alternate in summarizing the readings in written form for the class and post their summaries to the course "Shared" file on the campus servers. Click here for instructions on how to do that. Have your summary ready the day after the reading assignment is due.

 

B. Language Learning Experience Paper: Due date: 1/7

Write a 3 to 5 page paper describing your experiences with language learning and teaching. You may choose to address some or all of the following questions:
· Describe your own language learning experiences both in and outside of the classroom.
· Describe teachers or class experiences which have been successful or motivating for you.
· Describe teaching or class experiences which have been unsuccessful for you.
· Describe any teaching experience that you have done.
· What do you hope to accomplish as a result of this course?

 

Reminder: you can submit your work electronically.

 

C. ESL Student Interview Due date: 1/8

Interview a student at Middlebury whose first language is not English. Using the questions raised in class, find out about their experience of learning English. Write up your interview and report the results to the class. Review the Interview Questions that we brainstormed in class.

 

D: Presentation/Discussions: Due dates: As assigned individually.

You will be responsible for leading a class discussion based on the assigned reading of a method or approach to language teaching. You will be expected to summarize key points about the approach or method, and to lead the class in a discussion of how this approach or method differs from others we have looked at. More details on this assignment will be given in class.

 

E. Class Observation: Due dates: 1/14 (1/21 or earlier) and 1/21(1/28 or earlier)

Visit and observe ESL classes in two different settings: These may include Mary Hogan Elementary School, Middlebury Union Jr. High/High School, The Vermont Adult Education Program on Pleasant Street, The Vermont Refugee Resettlement Courses at St. Stephen's Church, St. Michael's College Intensive English Program, or the Essex Junction School district. Report on your observation using the format provided in class.

 

F. Tutoring/Mentoring: Due dates: 1/15 (1/22) and 1/26 (1/28)

Based on the information given in class. Spend 5 hours over the course of the term, either meeting to individually assist an ESL student in person or on-line. Write a one paragraph summary about your tutoring/ mentoring and post it to the online discussion on MOTET. At the end of the term, submit a one page written summary of your work. Guidelines for Tutoring.

 

G: Textbook analysis: Due date: 1/19

Using the form found in Harmer (Appendix) or Brown (pp. 150-151) as a guide, choose two ESL textbooks and write a 2 - 3 page evaluation. Be sure to include the course and student context. Hand in (or submit electronically) your written evaluation, and share your analysis with the class.

 

H. On-line participation: Due date: on-going

As explained in class, subscribe to an on-line discussion group in the field of English as a Second Language. We will talk periodically about the topics discussed. Spend the first week at least, just reading messages. Then contribute at least one message to each of two lists over the course of the term. Here are the instructions on how to subscribe.

 

I. Web site reviews Due date: 1/11

Choose two web sites, one listed on the page of links on the class web page and one that you find on your own. Write a one - two page review of the two sites. Be sure to explain if these sites are for teachers or students, and let us know if you would or would not recommend it and why. Tell us something about the content and, if you like, the design. Post your review to the course on-line discussion on Motet (not to the Drop-box on Serval).

 

J. Mini-teaching and Lesson Plans: Due dates: see syllabus

With your peers acting as ESL students, you will teach two mini-lessons, one involving an introduction to new language, and the other involving practice and communicative activities. You will be given further guidelines for what and how to teach as we cover these topics in class. The peer teaching will be scheduled on 1/14 or 1/15 and on 1/22 or 1/25. You are to hand in a written lesson plan, using the format in either Brown or Harmer as well as conduct a 10 minute segment of the lesson. Criteria for evaluation will be provided.

 

K. Final Project Due dates: 1/28 or 1/29

With a small group of fellow students, research and present to the class one of the topics of the course in greater depth. Potential topics, details of the assignment, expectations and criteria for evaluation will be presented in class. Topics may include particular approaches or methods to language teaching, the English language teaching context of a particular country, technology in language teaching, or more detail on the teaching of particular language skills. An intial proposal is due on Tuesday, 1/19. You may want to consider some ways in which you can involve your fellow classmates in the presentation.