October 2006 Updates
Fall Conference Info ONLINE
There is an abundance of information about the upcoming fall conference online. At www.minnetesol.org, click on Fall Conference and then 2006 Fall Conference. This will bring you to information on the conference schedule, concurrent sessions, registration, keynote speakers, Board elections, map and directions, exhibitors, the book drive and lesson swap.
Essay Contest
Encourage
your learners to enter the 2007 MinneTESOL essay contest. English learners
in elementary school, middle school, high school, college, and ABE
programs are eligible. Winners earn $30 and will have their essay posted
on MinneTESOL's website. Entries may be submitted anytime through May 1,
2007. Please refer to the website for complete contest rules and
submission requirements: www.minnetesol.org.
COMPUTER TEACHING ASSISTANTS NEEDED!
The MLC Learning
Center is opening a computer class for adults learning English
as a
Second Language. Computer Teaching Assistants work with a
professional
instructor to help students complete individual
assignments and follow along
with class demonstrations. They are a
vital part of our independent learning
model.Volunteers are needed on
Monday or Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm.
Classes begin October
9th. A minimum commitment of 12 weeks is required.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
* Assist during the computer class once
a week
* Work cooperatively with instructors, coordinator, and other
volunteers
* Aide students one-on-one with resume writing and job
searches
* Lead occasional activities, demonstrations, or games
*
Communicate absences in advance
* Inform manager of problems or
concerns
PLEASE CONTACT: Lisa Peterson
Email:
lpeterson@theMLC.org or Phone: 651-266-7421
Friday evening, November 3 and Saturday, November 4, 2006 Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (MinneTESOL) will hold its annual fall conference on Friday and Saturday, November 3-4, 2006. This conference connects practitioners, researchers and administrators, from a wide variety of contexts, to engage in conversations and sharing about teaching and learning, research and practice, or administration and policy.
We have two great speakers again this year. Our Friday evening speaker is an economist, Dr. Bruce Corrie, who will share a framework for state immigration policy in Minnesota. Our keynote speaker this year is Dr. Jo Ann Aebersold, a leading reading researcher who will address the important issue of reading fluency for second language speakers. In addition, we offer a full schedule of presentations from colleagues across the state, lots of exhibitors who will share the latest publications and materials, and an opportunity to network and connect with English language professionals from across Minnesota.
More information on registration, including the registration form, is available at:
http://www.minnetesol.org/2006_Fall_Conference_files/RegistrationFlyer06.pdf
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact either of the conference co-chairs. Early registration ends October 27th. We hope to see you there!
Jennifer Leazer
leaz0001@umn.edu
Kimberly Johnson
kjohnson60@hamline.edu
Cambridge ESL students take Fall Field
Trip
East Central
MN--Students in the adult English as a Second Language (ESL) class in
Cambridge, MN. had an autumn lesson that focused on putting the garden to
sleep before winter. Classroom discussion included questions about the
best time to do transplanting and when to move outdoor plants inside.
Instructor Valorie Arrowsmith asked the group is they would like to take a
field trip to see her mother's perennial garden, since she was a master
gardener and was often called on to give answers to just those kinds of
questions.
Three students from Viet Nam, South Korea and Lithuania
met Kathryn Stavem at her Century Farm in mid October. She sprinkled the
tour with lots of stories, telling about the bear that tried to claw its
way into the greenhouse, why she had a window from the Minnesota State
Capitol in her garden shed and about how she got a chandelier on the
ceiling in that work space. There was plenty of time to ask questions and
tour several gardens.
During the visit, Iris Christensen, a local
expert in apple pressing arrived to juice out some of Stavem's apples.
Students then had the opportunity to look at a working apple press and get
information about how it does its job. While there was no fresh apple
juice to drink, the group did the next best thing and had coffee, tea and
"a little lunch" featuring summer garden produce: sun dried tomatoes,
tomato chutney and flax seed bread.
At the conclusion of the ESL
field trip the assignment for the next class was to write a short article
about the day, including the answers to the "5 Ws + H" questions, who,
what, when, where, why, and how.
For more information about free
ESL classes through Cambridge/Isanti Community Education call
763-689-6228. If area residents would be interested in a Saturday English
class, please contact Vicki at the same number. This program serves people
from East Central Minnesota. Cambridge is located on Highway 65 one hour
north of the Twin Cities.
17 October, 2006
by Valorie
Arrowsmith,
Freelance cultural correspondent and MinneTESOL
member
varrow2@ecenet.com
www.valoriearrowsmith.com
When you arrive at MCTC on November 3rd and 4th for our annual conference, park in the MCTC ramp directly across from the Technical Building. You can then walk across the skyway to the check-in desk. We recommend that you leave your coat in your car, as there is no convenient place to store coats during the conference.
See you soon!
Pictured Above: Board
Members Jennifer Leazer, Nima Salehi, Kim Johnson
* * *
Volunteers Needed
The Minnesota Literacy Council's Learning
Center at Rondo Library is seeking enthusiastic individuals to teach
English to adult immigrants. You'll gain insight into immigrant
communities while making a lasting difference in the life
of an adult
learner.
Volunteers are needed one night a week, Monday-Thursday
between 6:00 and 8:30pm. ESL Classes begin October 2nd. A minimum
commitment of 12 weeks is required.
RESPONSIBILITIES
*
Attend a 12 hour training provided by the Minnesota Literacy Council
before you begin teaching or tutoring
* Teach a group of up to 10 adult
learners one night a week from 6:00pm - 8:30pm
* Prepare a lesson plan
and a weekly summary of the class
* Work collaboratively with other
teachers and tutors to find best teaching
practices
* Communicate
absences in advance
* Inform manager of problems or concerns
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