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September 15, 2009
ESL tutor training workshop
One of my goals for my practicum course was to attend an ESL tutoring workshop before the end of September. WIth a little leg work and a lot of schedule-shifting, my goal will be met.
I enrolled in the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council's ESL tutor training workshop, which met for the first time last night. (We'll meet Wednesday too, and again Monday and Wednesday next week.) There are about 10 of us in the class, varying in age, experience, and location.
The class is an introduction for those who have never tutored with the GPLC before. In our introduction to the GPLC, we learned that they have a list of students waiting to be tutored. It's difficult to think that I can't tutor all of these people... Just knowing that they're out there wanting help makes me want to sign up to help all of them. In my area alone there are 11 waiting. I know I won't even get to help all 11 of them--tutors are usually given 1-5 students, depending upon their learning preferences.
The GPLC uses a test called BEST Plus (BEST stands for Basic English Skills Test) to determine students' levels in literacy and English. The test measures mostly oral proficiency, which is fascinating because most tests measure written/reading proficiency more than speaking/listening (the TOEFL, for example). Moreover, most languages are taught at the writing/reading level more than speaking/listening (which is where most people lack skills).
Evidently, the students that the GPLC helps span the spectrum. They keep annual statistics on the students, and in 2008 they were at every level:
30% - beginning literacy
18% - beginning English
36% - intermediate English
16% - advanced English
We briefly looked at the stages of language learning (silent period, early speech, order of acquisition, errors) and methods for teaching vocabulary. Most fun is when the trainer has us do an exercise in small groups. Getting to try things out before expecting students to do them is a great idea, but I haven't had much opportunity to do things like this because I haven't taught yet! The closest I came was last year when I got to teach a lesson to my classmates in my Observation in Teaching English course (spring 2008). That was fun, and now I'm realizing how practical it is to have others in your field help you discover what works.
I'm excited to go back to class on Wednesday night. Even though it makes for a (really) long day, it's fun to get closer to doing what I want to do. I'm feeling more encouraged than ever in my personal and professional life--I've got friends, family, teachers, and colleagues all rooting me on, and that feels great.
Posted by KarissaKilgore at September 15, 2009 1:12 PM