ESOL

=Greetings= This is a collaborative project to develop online English workshops. Please feel free to add your input and invite others.

Thank you.--Nellie Deutsch 09:35, 4 February 2009 (UTC)

=Presentation of the course=

Aims and Objectives

 * I like the idea of focusing on key concepts, big ideas, and understandings within language learning. Instead of setting only language objectives, I think there needs to be objectives built around understandings, essential questions, etc. - as you can see I'm a strong advocate of Wiggins and McTighe's Understanding by Design.  I view developing understandings and developing language skills as both means and ends. --Benjamin Stewart 17:44, 29 April 2009 (UTC)
 * I am also an advocate of procative planning and having the end in mind as prescribed by Wiggins and McTighe's Understanding by Design when it comes to developing distance learning programs
 * [mailto:piselk@jfsc.ndu.edu Pisel, K. P.] (2008, Summer). A strategic planning process model for distance education. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 11(2). --Nellie Deutsch 18:16, 29 April 2009 (UTC)


 * Goals should provide a clear definition of the purpose of the program.--Mercedes Viola 18:50, 29 June 2009 (UTC)
 * Objectives result from an analysis of the goals into their different components. They are statements of more specific purposes and about how the goals will be achieved. Brown (1995) points out that one of the main differences between goals and objectives is their level of specificity. Graves (2000) states that formulating goals and objectives helps to build a clear vision of what you will teach. Goals and objectives provide a basis for making choices about what to teach and how.--Mercedes Viola 18:50, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

"The Common European Framework provides a common basis for the elaboration of language syllabuses, curriculum guidelines, examinations, textbooks, etc. It describes in a comprehensive way what language learners have to learn to do in order to use a language for communication and what knowledge and skills they have to develop so as to be able to act effectively. The description also covers the cultural context in which language is set. The Framework also defines levels of proficiency which allow learners’ progress to be measured at each stage of learning and on a life-long basis. The Common European Framework is intended to overcome the barriers to communication among professionals working in the field of modern languages arising from the different educational systems. It provides the means for educational administrators, course designers, teachers, teacher trainers, examining bodies, etc., to reflect on their current practice, with a view to situating and coordinating their efforts and to ensuring that they meet the real needs of the learners for whom they are responsible. ''By providing a common basis for the explicit description of objectives, content and methods, the Framework will enhance the transparency of courses, syllabuses and qualifications, thus promoting international co-operation in the field of modern languages. The provision of objective criteria for describing language proficiency will facilitate the mutual recognition of qualifications gained in different learning contexts, and accordingly will aid mobility."'' The Common European Framework. Common European Framework --Mercedes Viola 18:50, 29 June 2009 (UTC)
 * There are many useful frameworks can guide us when organization our goals and objectives. I would say the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages – Learning, Teaching and Assessment, is the one most international awarding bodies follow, publishers, universities, language schools, etc.--Mercedes Viola 18:50, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

Why English

 * Is it enough to speak my native language?
 * English is an international language


 * Nowadays many universities give their students bibliography in English.--Mercedes Viola 18:27, 29 June 2009 (UTC)
 * The English language has clearly become the world’s lingua franca (lingua franca: any of various languages used as common or commercial tongues among peoples of diverse speech. Merriam Webster dictionary).--Mercedes Viola 18:27, 29 June 2009 (UTC)
 * English has grown into the primary language for international communication. As David Graddol states in his book: English Next “It facilitates transnational encounters and allows nations, institutions, and individuals in any part of the world, to communicate their world view and identities.” --Mercedes Viola 18:27, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

Online course offered to learners from all over the world

 * Kids
 * Young adults
 * Old adults

Accreditation

 * Certificate?

In Europe, the Council of Europe has created a framework document that describes in detail language learning competences and assigns levels to each competence.Partly based on the methodology developed for portfolios, the European Language Portfolio goes further and designed a way to produce homogenization of language school certifications, and permitted transparency among the differing educational systems across Europe. European Language Portfolio


 * I like the idea of an e-portfolio or performance task as a means for providing evidence of communicative competencies. Those who are interested in knowing the language skill level of an ELL could view their performance since everything could be published online (i.e., voicethreads, wikis, blogs, etc.). As far as having a formal certificate, I'd like to know a little more as to what you had in mind. --Benjamin Stewart 17:34, 29 April 2009 (UTC)
 * The you is whoever added the information. It wasn't me.--Nellie Deutsch 18:20, 29 April 2009 (UTC)

Course duration

 * up to 3 months?
 * up to 6 monts?
 * up to 12 months?


 * Number of Hours
 * Forget about what I had before (I was thinking more along the lines of a PD course). I think the length of the course, if any, will depend on the content, assessment, and certification practices that will be implemented. --Benjamin Stewart 17:23, 29 April 2009 (UTC)

Contextualizing the course

 * I'm a doctor, is the course customizable for my activity?
 * I live in a rural area, what about me?
 * I DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH AT ALL

Skills

 * Grammar
 * Speaking
 * Listening
 * Vocabulary
 * Reading Strategies
 * Writing
 * Test taking
 * Pronunciation

Levels

 * Beginner (preknowledge?)
 * Intermediate (preknowledge?)
 * Advanced (preknowledge?)


 * Perhaps using the common European framework scale due to the number of descriptors available (A1-C2). --Benjamin Stewart 17:48, 29 April 2009 (UTC)

Resources and Platforms

 * WikiEducator
 * Moodle
 * LEO
 * Social Network (ning)
 * Live online sessions (WiZiQ)
 * Blogging
 * Videos (Bliptv, Youtube)

=Teacher Resources=

Teachers' Reflections
Sharing Teaching Experiences

Websites

 * EasyEnglish.com English tests - choice of level and test duration
 * TESTY Czech site with English tests
 * Testomania Czech site with English tests
 * JirPa Czech site with English tests
 * Help for English
 * Leo Net	English learning web Grammar, vocabulary, exercises, games, chat
 * BBC LanguagesMany languages available thematically divided: Idioms, grammar, Business English (Audio)
 * English Club Advanced students. Grammar Set of games, tests, grammar
 * Canada ESL Phrasal verbs, frequent mistakes, slang
 * Macmillan English Campus
 * Wordahead Video vocabulary builder

We need to develop

 * audio recordings
 * a vocabulary (voice)
 * exercises
 * video recordings?
 * multimedia
 * quizzes for self assessment

=Comments=
 * Take a look at my project as I am interested in what you think. I believe we are after similar objectives. --Benjamin Stewart 17:59, 29 April 2009 (UTC)
 * I have linked to this from the curriculum page at Language Learning K 07:12, 10 June 2009 (UTC)

=Learn English Online (LEO) Workshops= Courses Available for Learning English Online

Students

 * Learn English Now

Teachers
Teachers will learn how to integrate technology into their classes by creating online learning environments. Teachers will learn to create and use WebQuests, Web 2.0 tools and social networks, including training in using live virtual classrooms to promote student collaboration and team work.
 * Teach English Online
 * Teacher Training - Integrating technology into the curriculum

=Live Online Lessons=