Unit #2: TESL 100

                                                                          

Who Will I Teach?

Who will I teach? This is an excellent question... at this point in this course, I am beginning to imagine myself teaching a class full of newcomers from all the nationalities and backgrounds. It is exciting for me to think that this is something that I really want to do- teach English!
In this unit, we have explored the difference between ESL and EFL classrooms and how they differ from each other. In an ESL setting, the learners' exposure to the English language is more accessible to them. The opportunities to practice are more significant and inevitable. The learner feels the need to learn such language so he/she can communicate and be able to function among native speaker and their society. In the case of an EFL setting, the needs and necessities of the learner are different. In my personal opinion, most L2 learners who want to acquire a language does it for the pleasure of it. The opportunities to practice are minimal and not consistent. EFL teachers must find ways to expose their students to activities outside the classroom that permits them to put into practice the skills learned.
In Brown and Lee, chapter 6 "Teaching Across Age Levels" and chapter 7 "Teaching Across Proficiency Levels" tell us that we, as teachers, should take this under consideration. There is no perfect classroom with students with the same needs and skills. It is essential to consider each student as an individual and develop a needs assessment to determine the areas to teach. These needs assessments give us a better picture of who our learners are; their age, their CLB level, their culture, why learning English is important to them, etc.
Here are my self-analysis and my group learner persona activities
My Own Learner's Self Analysis
Learner Persona - Group activity

Something that came to surface in this unit is the use of acronyms. I knew a few already, but I was amazed by the number of acronyms that actually exist, and all have to do with the English language.

I think that from this list, the acronym L.A.L. is one of those language programs that we do not hear much about.
In my school division, we have an EAL/LAL program for middle and senior years. These L.A.L. students come mostly from countries that are at war, and due to that, they had interrupted schooling, ie. Syria and Africa just to mention a couple.

WELARC:  Winnipeg English Language Assessment and Referral Centre

LAL:  (Literacy, Academics, and Language) Refers to learners in Middle and Senior Years who have significantly interrupted, limited or no school experience. Their literacy skills are well below the age-appropriate level.

EAL: (English as an Additional Language) is another term for ESL and is used in a number of Canadian provinces.

EAP (English for Academic Purposes), which is taught at high schools, colleges and universities, prepares students for post-secondary studies.
EFL (English as a Foreign Language) is taught in countries where English is not spoken. 

CanTEST is a standardized English proficiency test used to determine if an individual is able to meet the admission requirements of Canadian post-secondary institutions, or fluency requirements of professional licensing associations. (Equivalent testing services are offered in French.)
CLBA (Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment) is given at CLARS (Coordinated Language Assessment and Referral Service) Centres. CLBA is a task-based assessment used to determine eligibility for adult LINC or ESL programs.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a widely accepted English language proficiency test for higher education and global migration.
PBLA (Portfolio Based Language Assessment) is being implemented in LINC programs across Canada.
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) evaluates the potential success of an individual to use and understand standard American English at a college level. It is required for non-native applicants at many Canadian and U.S. English-speaking colleges and universities.