All Are Welcome!

ELAC Fall 2019 Orientation Recap

As usual, we hosted the ELAC Orientation the third week of the semester and invited the core classes in both daytime and evenings to come together.

In the daytime orientation, ELAC students were treated to three former ELAC student speakers. Each speaker had wonderful words to share:

• Parva talked about how confusing it can be as a new student and recounted how she didn't wear any make-up on her face on her first exam in an ELAC class because the syllabus said, "No make-up for exams."

• Marlem spoke about how Financial Aid and Work Study has allowed her to continue her studies while working, and now her son is able to attend the Childcare Center while she is in class.

• Thanh had many, many pieces of advice to our students about how to be prepared for class, participate during class, and to get active in campus groups and clubs.

We thank the different services who took time to visit: Police, Counseling, Financial Aid & Scholarships, Library, ASC, and for all of you who gave some helpful tips to students.

Dr. Carmen Jay, Department Chair of English, ELAC, and World Languages read aloud the following poem:

We know that students tend to feel some parts of the orientation are repetitive, and welcome ideas for new formats. Perhaps a student and/or teacher panel for spring? Let us know how we can improve it.

ELAC State & District Updates

Link to Timeline

AB 705 is finally going to be in full compliance for ESL by Spring 2020.

With input from all the colleges in our district, an ELAC self-placement tool is being created, modeled after Woodland Community College's ESL Self-Placement. This tool will be piloted at Mesa College in Spring 2020. Thank you for those that have sent student samples to be used. As we get into revision mode, we will ask for volunteers to try it out with their students and classes.

Name Coach

Research shows that pronouncing students' names correctly matters, and that starts with us modeling it. This article has a few concrete strategies too.

You may have noticed my NameCoach email signature, you can record yours for free here: NameCoach Personal Badge and easily add the link to Canvas, your email, or other messages.

Professional Learning Opportunities

As usual, there are numerous conferences and workshops coming up, here are some that pertain to our field:

• CAP 1-Day Workshop for English, ESL focused on AB 705, September 20, Cerritos College
• San Diego Area Writing Project Fall Conference, September 28, UCSD
• San Diego CATESOL Fall Conference, November 2, Alliant University
• CATSEOL Annual Conference, October 3-6, San Jose
• Strengthening Student Success Conference, October 9-11, Burlingame
• World Languages Symposium, October 18, MiraCosta College
• Annual CAP (California Acceleration Project) Conference, February 27-29, 2020.
• CUE (Computer Using Educators) Conference, March 19-21, Palm Springs
• TESOL Convention, March 31-April 3, Denver, Colorado

All of us can apply for up to $1,000 per academic year from the Professional Development Committee. 

Also know that there are TESOL Travel Grants & Scholarships - I am happy to support you with a letter or advice on your application.

Resources

We all need to slow down and take a moment sometime. I've been trying out the Headspace App. Try this quick 5-minute meditation for educators.

Most every ESOL instructor knows about Larry Ferlazzo's Blog and Twitter Feed. I especially like his Classroom Instruction Resources of the Week.

The TESOL Association IG account has been particularly useful lately - with resources, teaching tips, and information on all things TESOL.

Next Meeting - Stay Tuned

I'll send out a link soon with proposed meeting days/times and request for agenda items. It'll be nice to hear reports from those who attend CATESOL, get AB 705 updates, and we can see how the semester is going overall.