ESL
Updated 2006
Description
The ESL Department has adopted an integrated curriculum design, combining
reading, writing, and grammar instruction in the core classes. The supplementary
curriculum focuses on enhancing academic speaking and listening ability in
addition to reading comprehension and vocabulary development skills. The
educational technology and support services provided by the the English Writing
Center, Technology Mall, Reading Center, and the ACE Lab augment our curriculum
by providing ESL students with innovative tools and tutorials that support their
learning of the English language. To continue to provide these valuable services
to our students, the ESL department requires new high-speed, high-memory
hardware and educational software in addition to technical and tutorial
services.
Technology and the ESL Curriculum:
ESL students use the hardware and the software in the various learning
centers to do various extra-class assignments that directly relate to the
integrated skill curriculum. For example, all ESL students in core ESL classes
(ESL 96, ESL 100, ESL103, and ESL 106) must attend the Writing Center at least
16 hours per semester. Students in the Listening and Speaking classes (ESL 97,
ESL 101, ESL 104) do various Internet lessons on computers with multimedia
capability. Development courses (ESL 98, ESL 102, ESL 105) use the Reading
Center to increase their reading speed and comprehension as well as their
vocabulary development. Vocabulary development software is also available in the
Writing Center. The ACE Lab facilitates essential practice of the computer-based
TOEFL; it also facilitates Internet research, e-mail access, and use of ESL
software. Several ESL instructors use Blackboard and/or WebCT as an integral
part of their classes, and we now have a hybrid section of English 110. In sum,
ESL students and teachers are making excellent use of instructional software in
various learning centers. Computer technology provides necessary support to the
ESL curriculum.
Objectives:
- English Writing Center: Upgrade the current hardware and software.
Continue to staff the Writing Center with tutors and techs.
- English Reading Center: Upgrade the current hardware and software. Staff
the Reading Center with tutors and techs.
- Faculty Offices: Upgrade the current hardware and software in offices
590L, N, and Q as well as the 660 offices.
- ACE Lab: Upgrade the current hardware and software.
Hardware:
See English Department plan for hardware
upgrades of the Writing and Reading Center.
The computers in ESL Offices 590Q, 590L, and 70-217 need to be upgraded.
Highest priority is to be given to Pat Bennett’s computer in 590L, which
needs immediate replacement.
An HP LaserJet 1100A (printer, copier, scanner, all in one) or its
equivalent is needed in 70-217 and 590L.
The computers in the ACE Lab need to be upgraded to accommodate new iBT
software and supplemental educational software.
Additional computers are needed in ESL Offices 590Q, 590L, and 590N for
adjunct faculty. These small office spaces would benefit from flat-screen
monitors as the larger monitors require a great deal of desk space.
Software:
See English Department plan for all software upgrades in the English Writing
Center and Reading Center.
EWC / ERC
- Understanding and Using English Grammar
- Focus on Grammar: Basic, Intermediate, High Intermediate, and Advanced
- English software which students can access from their home computers and
which provide students and teachers with immediate feedback and reports.
- Computer-assisted writing software
- Computer-assisted vocabulary instruction
- Computerized dictionaries with pronunciation component
- Ultimate Speed Reader
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser program
- E-mail program
ACE Lab
- Current educational software for TOEFL (iBT)
- TOEFL (iBT) practice test software
- Supplemental educational software for ACE classes
Technical and Tutorial Support:
The ESL Department has an on-going need for tutors who can instruct ESL students
at varied proficiency levels in reading, writing, and grammar in addition to
high-quality computer technicians.
Approximate Number of Students Served: 750 students every semester
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