Good News on an Old Friend

For many years the University of Minnesota hosted an intensive English program called the Minnesota English Center (MEC.) In 2004, the College of Liberal Arts folded the program except for a very limited number of for-credit support classes for students already admitted to academic programs. But guess what?! The U of M is transferring what remains of the old program to the College of Continuing Ed. This unit plans to expand the program under the name Minnesota English as a Second Language Center, or MEC. The program may begin issuing I-20s for English only study beginning as early as the summer of 2007.

These changes are being helped along by the newly formed ESL Council at the U of M. The Council brings together various stakeholders at the U involved with ESL, admissions, international programming, etc. According to Elaine Tarone, the ESL Council "will collaborate to promote ESL programming and support for students, faculty and staff, on our increasingly linguistically diverse campus."

MinneTESOL congratulates the University for recognizing the importance of international students and ESL, and wishes the Council and revamped MEC many years of fruitful endeavors.

Submitted by Andrea Poulos,
MinneTESOL 1st Vice-President

Upcoming Adult Literacy Conference

Don't forget to register for the 2006 Technology in Adult Literacy Conference
Registration is limited, so register online now or print out a form and send it in today!
For more information and to register click on http://www.themlc.org/techconference

The Minnesota Literacy Council and the Hubbs Center for Lifelong Learning invite you to attend the 2006 all day conference on technology use in the field of Adult Basic Education. This is an opportunity for ABE program managers, teachers and volunteer tutors to learn from other educators how Literacy and ESL programs are effectively using educational technology.

Software companies have already pledged prizes: Side by Side Interactive, Rosetta Stone, Live Action English, and Sound Sentences II software prizes will be awarded to lucky raffle winners.

Date and Time Friday, June 23, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Location Hubbs Center for Lifelong Learning in St. Paul

Keynote: Interactive Multimedia Applications for Adult Literacy Educators
C. Candace Chou

For questions you can contact Nima Salehi at nsalehi@themlc.org

New Free Online ESL Materials

The LaRue ESL Environmental Education Exercises were created by Charles LaRue with the financial support of the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board in cooperation with Anoka County Integrated Waste Management.

These interactive exercises explain what happens to the garbage that we throw away. They give examples of how to reduce, reuse and recycle. They also explain household hazardous waste and how to read product labels and how to dispose of waste properly. The explanations are in English, Hmong, Arabic and Somali, and can be heard online or printed from pdf files. The exercises are all in English and can be used on line or printed out from pdf files. After using these exercises please, ask your students to pledge to reduce waste. When the do they will get a free printable study certificate.
They are available now at the web site listed below.

LaRue Environmental ESL Exercises <http://mcedservices.com/recyclex/recyclex.htm>

Special Request: I need help from instructors get feedback by the end of June on the effectiveness of these materials. If you think your students will benefit from using these materials and would be willing to give a short pre and post test, please contact me at Larue@mcedservices.com

I'm also tracking the number of students taking the online recycling pledge.
If you can't help with testing, please encourage your students to fill our the online pledge to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Your help means these kinds of materials can continue to be funded.

Charles LaRue

Volunteer Opportunity

Practice and polish your classroom skills. Volunteer as a teacher assistant in a Minneapolis Public Schools Adult ESL Class. Morning, afternoon, and evening opportunities are available year-round except August.

For information, contact Ellen.Lipschultz@mpls.k12.mn.us, (612) 668-3984.
For a volunteer application, go to:
http://commed.mpls.k12.mn.us/Apply_Online.html

Ellen Lipschultz
ABE Volunteer Coordinator
Minneapolis Public Schools
(612) 668-3984

Are you a Middle School Teacher?
Do you teach ESL in a middle school? There has been some interest in MinneTESOL to form a Middle-School interest section. If you teach this age group and would like to know more, please contact Andrea Poulos, our 1st Vice-President, at apoulos@lincolnadulted.org

JOBS

ABE Accountability Coordinator

The Minnesota Literacy Council has a full-time opening (mostly day, but occasional evening hours required) for an ABE Accountability Coordinator to manage learner data at all Minnesota Literacy Council (MLC) learning centers.

For full position description, please visit www.theMLC.org/employment.

To apply, send or fax resume and cover letter to:

Kathy Lilly, Human Resources Specialist
Minnesota Literacy Council
756 Transfer Road
St. Paul, MN 55114-1404
Fax: 651-645-2272

OR contact Kathy Lilly at 651-645-2277, ext. 242, or klilly@theMLC.org

* * *

RICHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

POSITION TITLE: ESL Literacy Coach

Full-time vacancy at Richfield Intermediate School and a half-time vacancy at Richfield High School

Brief Description:
Foster collaboration around teaching and learning as it relates to English language learners. Provide leadership and support for school improvement initiatives designed to raise the level of academic achievement and increase the development of academic language for English language learners.

More info: Sarah.Clyne@richfield.k12.mn.us

* * *

Seeking ESL Teacher in Chanhassen

Where: Chanhassen (West Suburb)
When: Summer 2006
Class to meet 1-2 times per week
for 8-10 weeks

Who: 15-20 ELL Adults

This is a paid part-time position for trained educators.

Contact:
Jan Hansen:
jbhansen1@stthomas.edu
or
Christopher Pears:
cpears@mn.rr.com

Westwood Community Church's Immigrant Outreach Committee is committed to providing ESL training for people in and surrounding Chanhassen.