computer literacy for esl students

Computer Literacy Classes for English Language Learners

Barb Hauck-Mahhauckmah@bccls.org973-365-4044 x7www.rtlibrary.org/esl.html

What you need to get started:

• Partnership with literacy organizations

• Weekly computer access

• Instructor with 1 volunteer for every 3 students(fluency in another language not required)

• Lessons and handouts in Englishwww.rtlibrary.org/esl.html

• Flexibility— Computer literacy is the goal

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ELL Computer Literacy Class Checklist

Publicize need 2 months before start Targets: Website, newsletter, schools, community,

Book Clubs and library regulars

Training session 2 weeks before ANDWeekly communication via email pre and post classes

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Recruiting Volunteers

Need name, phone number and library card. Email if available

1) In person at library 2) In person at outreach site 3) By phone – Screen for English fluency 4) By email (teacher or family)

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Registering Students

• Websites with visuals

• Language translation option for internet and email

• Created handouts in English (pdf and links on RT Library website)

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Materials Used

http://www.rtlibrary.org/esl.html

Goodwill Community Foundation English (for teachers)

http://www.gcflearnfree.org/

Spanish (for students) http://gcflatino.org/

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Good Bilingual Online Resource

Partnership: Rockaway Twp Library & Dover Library

Ten weekly 90 minute sessions: Computer , email, internet basics to MS Office

Students with some English fluency

Instruction and handouts in English

Small group size with volunteer aides

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Program Overview

Flyers at Zufall Health Center,Hispanic Affairs & libraries

Literacy Volunteers MeetingEmail newsletterPress releasesLibrary Website ESL class announcements

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Program Publicity

http://denville.injersey.com/2010/09/01/esl-goes-digital-at-rockaway-twp-library/

5 Laptop computers

Software licenses

Books and materials

Class Handouts

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Use of Grant Funding

Age range 35-75 yearsPrimarily female

Native Spanish speakers +

Most joined library for class

Big fluency range withEnglish and computers

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The Students

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtlibrary/sets/

27 students graduated from 2 sessions

100% have library cards + basic computer skills

3 students got jobs due to new tech skills

5 students enrolled in Hispanic Affairs computer course

8 students enrolled in free ESL classes

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Results by the Numbers

How much do you know about using computers? Zero or a Little 55% Before Class 11% After

Favorite thing about class The Teachers “Every time I am here, I learn something new”

Most useful computer skill learned? Excel

What changes would you make? More classes, more practice time at the library

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Survey Results from Students

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Computer Class Grads & Aides 2011

Pilot test the programs & handouts

Email is the touchstoneCreate hotmail accounts for students

Each lesson should stand alone

ELL Computer resources scarcehttp://www.rtlibrary.org/eslcollection.pdf

Make it relevant and funPicnik and Google tools are a hit

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Lessons Learned

Contact Information

Barb Hauck-MahLibrary Director, Lodi Memorial Librarywww.rtlibrary.org/esl.html

https://sites.google.com/site/hauckmah/links-1hauckmah@bccls.org hauckmah@optonline.net973-365-4044 Ext. 7

Thank you and Good Luck!

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