engaging adult esl online learners with usalearns

USALearns.org

Web-based Learning for ESL Students

Presented by:

Evelyn Fella evfella@san.rr.com

TESOL March 2010 Boston

AGENDA

• USALearns Components & Requirements

• Course Features

• Teacher Site Overview

• Implementation Tips

What is U.S.A. Learns?

A free Web site for immigrant adults who want to improve their

English language skills

Who created U.S.A.Learns?

Funded by:

U.S. Dept. of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education

Developed by:

Sacramento County Office of Education with

Project IDEAL, University of Michigan

Who is the target audience?

Immigrant Adults with

limited opportunities for attending traditional classes

beginning or intermediate English language skills

(NRS levels 2 through 5)

What computer skills are required?

Mouse: Click and scroll

Keyboard: Letters, backspace, shift key, space bar

Web browser: • Open a browser (e.g. IE, Safari)• Navigate a basic Web site • Click buttons and links

Microphone: optional

What are the hardware requirements?

• Fast Internet connection at least 384 Kbps or faster; no dial-up connections

• Up-to-date Web browser with Flash plug-in

• Sound card

• Speakers or headphones

• Microphone (optional)

What are the content components?

1st English Course: Beginner20 video-based units: Survival language topics

2nd English Course: Intermediate20 video-story based units: Job & Life Skills

topics

Practice English and Reading: Intermediate42 stories: Various topics

Teacher Management SiteMonitor progress and scores; comment on writing

Main Menu

What are the features of USAL?

High Quality Video• characters, situations and stories relevant to

immigrants

Language Development Activities • 4-Skills practice with video, images, audio

Clean Intuitive Design • simple navigation; easy-to-see buttons; consistent screen templates

Classroom Video - 1st Course

Situational Video - 1st Course

First English Course

Unit Menu

Unit menu - 1st Course

2nd English Course Topic Menu

Video - 2nd Course

Video with Text - 2nd Course

Practice English and Reading Topic Menu

Practice English and Reading - Story Sample

Review of 3 Core Content Components

Language Development Activities

Skills practice in: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking

Special focus on: Vocabulary, Life Skills, Grammar

Media-rich activitiesVideo, images, sound

Activities Menu

Activities Menu

Learn New Words1st Course

Learn New Words (Intermediate Vocabulary)

Spell It!

Match Game

Listen for it!

Say it! - Record your Voice

Grammar - Writing

Life Skills - Listening and Reading

Life Skills - Reading a Lease

Write about it!

Thinking Skills - Drawing Conclusions

Making Choices -You Predict

Self-Reflection - Learning Log

usalearns.org

Teacher Management Site

usalearns.org/teacher

What can I do at the Teacher site?

Create an online class. Monitor students’ progress and scores. Score/comment on writing assignments. Post messages to the online class

View/download Scope and Sequence. Story summaries Vocabulary word lists Grammar Life Skills; functions

Teacher Main Menu

Teacher Registration

Teacher Home Page

Add a New Class

Students need Class Password, Teacher Last Name & class web address

usalearns.org/class

Manage Classes Menu

Class Roster

Student Scores-Activity Menu

Feedback on Student Writing

Teacher messages

3 USAL Components!

Independent Learner Site usalearns.org

Teacher Management Site usalearns.org/teacher• Class Site usalearns.org/class

U.S.A. Learns

Implementation Tips

Good Language Learner Habits

Encourage students to:

Spend about 30 minutes a day rather than speeding through all the content in one sitting.

View videos 2 or 3 times with and without the script.

Practice speaking either with a mic or simply speaking out loud.

Good Language Learner Habits

Encourage students to:

Keep a learning journal for new words, expressions, questions, writing practice.

Set personal goals and self-monitor.

Connect learning in their real-world environment -- signs, billboards, newspapers, listening-in to others.

Tips for Teachers

Register on the Teacher site and be sure students use the Class site.

Give students a personal orientation tour of the site and show how to best use it.

Monitor your student’s progress online and communicate with them regularly.

If possible set up a class web site with links, or a social network for online discussion.

Tips for Teachers

Familiarize yourself with the content;

check scope and sequence document.

Use the rich video content, storylines, characters for writing assignments, discussion and other activities.

Suggest other online sites to extend and supplement USAL content.

(usalearns.wordpress.com for unit-specific recommendations)

Questions? Problems? Comments?

Technical Support: help@usalearns.org

Content/implementation: evfella@san.rr.com

Unit/Topic-Specific supplementary activities: usalearns.wordpress.com