8:45 – 10:00 a.m.
Did You Get That?
Too often, we leave it to the learner to tell us whether or not they understand what's being presented in class or we wait until the end of class to check comprehension. What strategies can we use to check learner comprehension and how often should we do it? Come learn and share various approaches.
Talking About Home
Leaving one home behind and creating a new one is filled with sadness, longing, memories, discovery, joy and humor. Join us to explore these experiences and emotions through the use of the written and spoken word. This session will combine speaking, listening, reading and writing practice through small group brainstorming, listening to and writing poetry, choral recitation and creating visual tableaus. Resources will be provided for extension activities
Writing Grab Bag
Looking for ideas to teach or practice writing skills? Join us and sample a variety of fun activities for beginning, intermediate and advanced writers.
Easy English Pronunciation: Using the Color Vowel Chart
The pronunciation of vowel sounds is essential to an English speaker’s comprehensibility, but it can be difficult to teach to ESL students. In this workshop, you will learn how the use of a color vowel chart allows you to easily incorporate pronunciation into your lessons. You’ll also receive a free copy of the chart to use in your classes.
Great Web Sites and Software for Learning and Life
Access to computers allows incredible and ever-changing opportunities for classroom and life-skill learning. This session will highlight a variety of web sites and free software students and teachers can use to increase their literacy and life skills.
Do You Speak Fruits?
Using real-life materials, we utilize interactive ELL teaching methods to engage students in conversation about healthy eating and physical activity. The University of Minnesota Extension’s Simply Good Eating program delivers a series of lessons that are built around assisting the new immigrant to make healthy choices in a new environment.
10:15 – 11:30 a.m.
Introduction to the Karen Culture
The Karen are an ethnic group from Burma (Myanmar) who are coming to the U.S. as refugees. This session will provide participants with an introduction to the history, culture and language of the Karen people. Presenters will also discuss how Karen learners function in the classroom and strategies for working effectively with Karen learners.
Give Your Worksheets a Workout
Learn strategies for using conventional worksheets in ways that get students talking, moving, and creating with the language. From simple routines and activities to real-life projects, give your worksheets a workout!
Video Clips in the Adult ESL Classroom
Videos are a fun way to bring the outside world into the classroom. They can be used at any level. Come try activities with video clips for vocabulary, sequencing, and language functions. Ideas for using videos as a springboard for discussions, grammar, and writing will also be included.
Learn about Job Training Programs
This session will present job training program information for jobs in 14 different career areas such as healthcare, banking, construction, childcare, truck driving, and others. We will talk about program locations and requirements, as well as ideas for teachers and tutors to better prepare learners for these opportunities.
Become the Author of Your Own RealeBook (pronounced Really Book)!
RealeBooks are picture books that can be printed or shared online. Using RealeWriter software, upload pictures and write your own text. RealeWriter gives you the power to create and share the most relevant, personalized stories: your own. Session participants will get a chance to try out the software and start their own books during the session. This session is for parents, teachers, tutors, and learners.
Building Community and Confidence through Conversation
Get the tools to start your own conversation group and conversation partnerships! The multicultural, learner-guided conversation group model discusses topics selected by the learners and is facilitated by a staff member or motivated volunteer. The Conversation Partnership model offers English speaking community members and learners a unique opportunity to work one-on-one. These models not only foster English Language skills, but also encourage learners to begin speaking about issues of culture and difference and learning about those topics in the United States as well as exploring them further within the context of their home countries. Learners have a unique experience to have cross-cultural dialogue and practice their English at the same time in a space that is both safe and intentional.
