TEACHING and LEARNING, THEN and NOW:
A POST-PLENARY DISCUSSION

Presenter:
Bill Bliss, Education Consultant and Author,
Language & Communication Associates, Lexington, Massachusetts

Come share in an open discussion of historical and current themes introduced in Thursday’s plenary session: How do teachers' attitudes toward students shape their expectations and goals? What turning points are occurring in instructional methodology and technology? What is the tension between general language education and workplace-based education? What is the role of women as students and teachers? Other questions?

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SILVER LININGS AND GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES:
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF A POST-BUDGET ACT WORLD IN CALIFORNIA ADULT EDUCATION

Presenters:
Brigitte Marshall, Director, Oakland Adult and Career Education
Jacques LaCour, Assistant Director, Oakland Adult and Career Education

It may be counterintuitive to suggest that a 20 percent cut in funding and no guarantee for ongoing funding could be viewed as an opportunity; nevertheless, the presenters will engage participants in a discussion of new options for innovation and program improvement in adult education, and particularly in ESL. Come challenge assumptions and past practices and discover how the tyranny of ADA has held us back from the level of professionalism that we and our students deserve. Discover the increasing importance of the interconnectedness of our work to school districts and communities.

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TESOL TEACHER-TRAINING FOR CROSS LINGUISTIC COMMUNICATION

Presenter:
Rhoda Curtis, California State University, East Bay

Political, cultural and economic reasons, plus linguistic ones, contribute to the charismatic power of English. Ambitious people all over the world struggle to master the language, while incorporating their own linguistic phrases to improve communication. This presentation will focus on the kind of TESOL teacher-training that fosters cross-linguistic communication.

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USING YOU TUBE TO TEACH ESL: WHAT WORKS…AND WHAT DOESN’T

Presenters:
Vicki Holmes, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Carol Bander, Saddleback College
Bette Brickman, College of Southern Nevada
Barbara Luther, Fullerton, Irvine Valley, Saddleback, & Santa Ana Colleges

You Tube, Teacher Tube, and their parent, Google, can be used successfully as teacher tools to stimulate class interaction and get students motivated. This demonstration focuses on how several instructors have been using these free resources in their classrooms. The benefits (and possible pitfalls) are examined. Participants will receive handouts with pertinent information about the demonstration. This session is designed for novice users of You Tube and Teacher Tube. There will be time for a question and answer period and for attendees to share their experiences and ideas.

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THE VINE: WEAVING WORD CONSCIOUSNESS INTO TEACHING
AND LEARNING IN A GLOBAL COMMUNITY

Presenter:
Ondine Gage-Serio, UC Santa Cruz, CSU, Fresno

The presenter will report on the VINE (Vocabulary Innovations in Education), a ‘think-tank’ model of professional development between teachers and researchers’ which aimed to raise teachers’ Word Consciousness. This generative approach to word learning draws on the playful, reflective, synergistic curiosity within a global community of learners while exploring word meaning and word usage in and across multiple contexts.

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HOW IEPS AND COLLEGE/UNIVERSITIES WORK TOGETHER TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR FRESHMAN ACADEMIC LIFE

Presenter:
Yuri Nagasawa, California State University, East Bay

The speaker will share various approaches and lessons to help international students transition from ESL classrooms into the university undergraduate programs. Emphasis will be placed on how an Intensive English Program (IEP) can work together with the university and provide resources to prepare students to be successful in the university.

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SOCIO-POLITICAL WORKSHOP PANEL

Panelists:
Jeff Frost, CATESOL Legislative Advocate
Bette Empol, Socio-Political Coordinator
Lisa Ireland, Socio-Political Coordinator

What is CATESOL doing to promote legislation which supports ESL teachers and their students? What is the latest on the 2010-2011 Education Budget? How might it affect your level and how can you become involved? Participants will learn about the latest updates on current legislation and have an opportunity to review the legislative process. Time will be allowed to ask questions. Appropriate for all levels.

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