A Student Explanation of ESL 055

A Student Explanation of ESL 055 - The Technology Assisted Language Learning Class
By Ben Chon

Purpose of the class: To teach the students who want to learn about computers and other kinds of technology as well as basic English.

What do students learn?

The first and most important is that they learn to listen to, speak, write, read, and pronounce
English.

The second is that they learn a number of technology skills that can be helpful to them as students, parents, and as workers in a modern world.

They especially they learn how to use these types of resources,

* tapes *books *videos *computers*

History: Green River Community College was established in 1965 by Dr. Melvin Lindbloom .

The Technology Assisted Language Learning Class( TALL) was established in 1995 by Prof. John Avery. The number in the course schedule is ESL 055.

The class room is RLC-141.

**Computer**

Students learn about the components and their functions of computer such as

(a) Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse and CPU (central processing Unit) etc.

and they learn about the wordings and their functions such as

(b) Menu bars (file, edit, view, & tools. etc.), E-mail, Internet, Browse, etc

**Listening **

Students learn about listening with C.D. and Cassettes Tapes such

as Ellis, Rosetta Stone, Crossroads Café, skills bank, etc

**Writing**

Students learn about writing / formatting through Word Processing

**Typing **

Students learn about typing through Type to Learn and Mavis Beacon

teaches typing

**Reading & Discussion**

Students read Northwest News and discuss about the topics with their opinion.

Interviews with Past Students (Here are their own words

**Questions about what they learned and how they felt about this class and teachers**

(1) My name is Raisa Borishkevich. I am from Ukraine. I came to this class this spring and I had never had any knowledge about computer. I learned how to read, speak, and write English as well as to handle the computer. My teacher was “Julie Barclay”, who was so patient and helpful in teaching us. Now I can speak English and enjoy with sending E-mail and using Internet. I really like this class and thanks the teachers

(2) My name is Rosa Bagatyuk. I am from Russia. I attended this computer class in winter course 2001. My teacher “Jason Clizer” taught me a lot of activities. I knew a little bit about computer work but in this class I have acquired many useful skills. For example, I know now many activities in Internet and I can type better than I could do this before. My teacher Jason always helped and answered all my questions. I like my teacher very much and will never forget these very useful lessons

(3)My name is Ben Chon. I came from Korea and I was retired from my own business about two years ago. I became a student of TALL class of Green River Community College in 1999. My first teacher was “Beverly Hendrickson”, second was “John Avery” and third was “Jason Clizer”.

I don’t know why those teachers are so friendly and kind as well as sincere and enthusiastic in teaching. Maybe their personalities I think. I was apprehensive of computer technology and hesitated to learn about computer as an old man. But my daughter “Karen” encouraged me to start and I did.

Now, I am very confident of computer and enjoying to use it. I like e-mail, chatting , reading news papers, weather checking, ordering merchandises, presentation by power point, word processing and so on so forth. Because of them “John, Beverly and Jason” I became a beginning computer enthusiast and I am so thankful to them.

Interviews with Current Students (Here are their own words)

(1)My name is Raquel Rios. I am from Mexico, This is the first time that I take this class and I like it very much. I have learned how to type, cut, paste, use E-mail and the Internet. I am also learning to speak English better. Most of all I like this class because I meet people from all over the world and I have the opportunity to talk to them and know more about their culture. I think this class is very interesting. Also I’d like to mention that I had never used computers before and I’m also fascinated about them. Also our teacher “John Avery and his assistant John” are helping us very much. They are very patient with all the students and they are showing us new things every day.

(2)My name is Natasha Lynch. I want to share my experience with other students. I came to the Technology Assisted Language Learning Class in September 2000. This class is great and very useful. I had some computer experience in Ukraine but I have not known a lot of operations and only in this class I have acquired skills required for work with computer. I typed but never used the proper fingers to get some professional speed of typing. I am so grateful to my teacher John Avery. He gave me this chance and now my speed of typing is increasing.

I have known a lot of activities in internet and word processing. My computer is really became my best friend and that happened due to my attending this wonderful class. It would be great if the college had the opportunity to have special classes in typing only for ESL students and special classes for computer skills. I think that this class is a unique one and I wrote letters to my Ukrainian friends describing this teaching process

(3)My name is Martha. I am from Mexico. I am enjoying this class, because it is very interesting to learn how to use computer. Every day I am learning more and more. Now I can use my own computer at home. I am glad taking this class because I can use it for my daily life. In the past, I couldn’t but now I can do it by myself. I have a daughter who is 19 and knows how to handle computer, but she has no patience to teach me. I feel very comfortable in this class. When I have a question, I don’t hesitate to ask my teacher “John Avery” or the assistant “John”. They always help me. I am happy to take this class

Interview with the instructors (Here are their own words

(1) Instructor (Julie Barclay)

I have been teaching this class for about 5 years. When I started teaching, there were not many computers and equipment as we have now.

We had only 8 Mackintosh computers and a few software programs. At those times, we mainly taught word processing, typing and other activities in connection with grammar, listening and speaking.

Now, we have considerable amount of equipment as you can see, therefore we are very pleased teaching students with many programs.

My hope is that the day comes soon when more opportunities will be for more students to learn English and computer technology in this class.

I’m so happy and excited about teaching and seeing many students make a good progress in understanding and enjoying using computers and improving their skills of speaking and listening

(2) Instructor (John Avery)

With the help of many people, I established this TALL class in 1994 and have been working with it for 7 years. Compared to the beginning stage, a lot of developments have been made in terms of equipment and programs for teaching basic English as well as the technology of the computer. I think that few other colleges in the country have such a unique opportunity and system as G.R.C.C. to teach English through using computers for free to E.S.L. students.

I guess about 1,300 students have finished this class and many of them have gone to advanced classes or new jobs. I’m very much proud of my students for gaining confidence in using computer technology and improving their English skills. I have a plan for more language development by providing more audio and video to our web site in the near future so that more students can enjoy learning English and improving their technical skills.