Course Content This course explores various approaches to instruction and assessment in education in general and ESL/EFL instruction in particular. We will discuss current thinking in the field as it relates to the instruction of English language learning and instruction. Some of the instructional models include: Sheltered Instruction, content-based instruction and problem-based instruction. Assessment models, on the other hand, will include alternative and authentic forms of assessment.
Who is this course for? Language and content-area teachers at all levels and other professionals interested in addressing the needs of English Language Learners (ELLs) from diverse backgrounds. In addition, individuals interested in certification in ENL and/or updating their professional teaching license in the area of language teaching would also find this course useful.
ENL: English as a New Language (primarily a burgeoning term in Indiana)
Sheltered Instruction: Methods & strategies that support the academic efforts of both second language learners and mainstream students.
Content-based instruction: Language instruction that incorporates content from subject areas.
Problem-based instruction: Language instruction using real-life problems as stimuli.
Alternative Assessment: Productive rather than punitive assessment involving real-world tasks.
Authentic Assessment: Ongoing, process and product-based assessment
Readings All the readings are available online. Some are available freely on the Web and others are password protected on the course website. All require readings are listed on the Reading List as well as on the course Schedule. To access the course readings, registered students will receive the required login and password from the instructor.
Class Expectations As professionals, we'll work together in this course to improve our knowledge, competence, and understanding of our own and other areas of instruction and assessment in EFL/ESL instruction. Each of us in this class will know more in some areas and less in others; each participant will take on the role of mentor in some situations and novice in others. In all of these contexts, you should expect from yourself and the other participants very high standards of professional conduct.
Online courses require that we take our conversations from the classroom to the computer. Without the opportunity to be seen as in a face-to-face classroom, we as participants in an online class need to find other ways to make sure that we "see" each other. This means that we have to fullfill our conversations in online spaces, such as the course discussion forum and chat, as well as other available communications technologies.
Evaluation
Written Assignments: Rubrics for each assignment are provided. Dates for submission are listed on the schedule.
Student participation will be a significant part of the evaluation.
Class Evaluation At the end of the semester, you will be asked to evaluate your experience in the class. The evaluation form for the class will be created toward the end of the semester and you will be able to access the form at EvalOnline. You will be provided an evaluation password at the end of the course.
General Policies at IUB Our courses are designed to be highly interactive and to include regular dialogue between student and instructor and between students. Because of this, we need students to participate regularly, and to keep up with the course readings and assignments.
If a student does not complete a course within a given semester, it is the student's responsibility to make arrangements with his/her instructor regarding how and on what timeline they will finish up the course. Students should not assume that they will automatically be granted an Incomplete grade at the end of the semester.
If a student has not completed the course requirements for the course by the end of the semester, the instructor will give the following grade that is most appropriate:
FN (failed for non-attendance) should be used to indicate that the failing grade was earned because he student failed to participate in the course or stopped participating, rather than for poor performance. Participation in the class consists of communication with the instructor and other students, turning in assigned work on time, contributing your ideas in class discussions, etc. A student that has ceased communication with his/her instructor may receive this grade.
I (Incomplete) may be used to indicate that the work is done satisfactorily as of the end of the semester, but has not been completed. This usually means that the majority of assignments have been done and only a fraction remain. The student also needs to make specific arrangements with his/her instructor regarding how and when the rest of the required work will be submitted. The maximum time allowed for the removal of an Incomplete grade is one calendar year, but most incompletes should extend for only a few weeks or months. After 12 months, the university automatically converts an Incomplete to a grade of F.
If a student has completed some, but not all, of the required coursework, and has not made arrangements with the instructor to complete the rest of the requirements, the instructor may give a grade that reflects the graded coursework up to that point.