Ling. 5393 TESOL Teaching and Observation

LING 5393
TESOL Teaching and Observation
Fall 2003

Instructor:	Laurel Smith Stvan
Office:	410 Hammond Hall
Office Hours:	T, W, Th 5:30-6:30 or by appointment
Phone:	(817) 272-5234
E-mail:	stvan@uta.edu

Overview of the 3-credit TESOL Practicum

This practicum course for MA students is intended to provide focused observation of teachers of English to non-native speakers, practice for you in teaching learners of English, and an opportunity for you to view and evaluate your own teaching. You will spend some time teaching learners and observing teachers, and then submit a written report about your observations. Prerequisites: Ling 5301, Ling. 5302, and consent of Graduate TESOL advisor.

Here are the components of the 3-credit course:

1.	a.	Preparation and submission of 8 hours of lesson plans
	b.	Teaching of those lessons
2.	a.	Viewing video of your own teaching (a total of 2 hours of recorded teaching time)
	b.	Written self-evaluation after viewing this video
3.	a.	Observation of 15 hours of another English teacher
	b.	Written observation of the other teacher's techniques

This plan reflects a threefold increase on what is required in the 1-credit TESOL-Certificate practicum (which was only the observation in Component 3). Ling. 5393 is set up so that each part has both a ''do'' and a ''review'' aspect. (If you previously did the Certificate practicum, you will still need to do an additional set of observation hours for the MA).

Each term there will be some flexibility allowed in fulfilling the components. For example, if you are doing some teaching elsewhere now, that might be used for the completion of Component 1. Likewise the observation time could be arranged at a place you are now teaching; otherwise, we will work on booking space in some of the ELI classes here. The ''teaching'' is defined loosely here as any of a range of opportunities to interact with students: e.g., working one-on-one with a student, leading a group discussion, giving a mini-lecture, or taking responsibility in leading a class through an entire lesson. You will have some choice in how to spread out the teaching and observing schedule--you may want to do it all in a few weeks, or spread it out over the semester.

As you can see, for Component 2 we're using a section of self-evaluation. In your future teaching careers, many schools will require that you be observed and critiqued by another teacher or administrator. For the practicum experience, however, we feel it is more enlightening for you to view your own teaching and have a chance to assess it, rather than just having someone else summarize your strengths and weaknesses.

What I'll need from each of you initially is some information on how you plan to meet each of the three components. I'd like you to email me a brief proposal of your current situation, and after that we can meet one-on-one to set up further details of scheduling the teaching and observing. I'll also be able to give you written handouts explaining how to write up steps 2b and 3b.

The course is set up as pass/fail.

Here are the answers to six issues you may be wondering about:

1. When will you do your classroom observation hours?

Let me know how you wish to schedule your observing and teaching. You have some choice in how spread the hours out over the semester--you may want to do some every day, or only on certain days of the week. ELI has limited hours, so we may not be able to match your ideal schedule; however, please think about which of their class times would be best for you. The first thing you should do, therefore, is to print out this pdf file of the ELI schedule and fill out the days and time slots you are available (also note if there are any days you are definitely NOT available) and return the hard copy of the form as soon as possible to Vicky Sorenson's mailbox (408 HH). She will then put the coordinator in charge of scheduling at ELI in touch with you to confirm when and where you will be observing and teaching. Slots are filled on a first come-first served basis, so turn in your forms as soon as you can.

2. What will your written work for this practicum consist of?

The written work will consist of one paper. The paper will begin with a brief description of the setting in which you worked: the learners, the language skill area(s), the schedule of your observation, etc. The body of the paper will have two parts:

a) The first part is a journal of your in-class observing: on an hour-by-hour basis, what went on? the activities, the teacher's role(s), the students' roles(s) etc. Describe which learners you are observing--age(s)? level(s) of proficiency? goal(s) in learning English? This will yield 1/2 to 1 typed page per hour of observation. (Your observation schedule should also appear in your final paper).

b) In the second part, you will describe the lessons that you have observed: to what degree and in what way(s) did the class activities focus on communication? On accuracy of form? This part will yield 5 to 7 typed pages.

c) Remember that the course is set up to be pass/fail. The written requirements will be due by Thursday of Exam wee--Dec. 11th.

3. Do I need any other paperwork on file to begin observing?

Yes. Students who take part in projects involving human interaction (and that includes practicum observations) need to go through the University's online compliance training to prove that they are familiar with the regulations regarding human subjects. So, before you begin observing, you will need to complete the online IRB compliance training for this school year. However, this year Dr. Silva will be turning in everyone's name at once to the IRB on census day (Sept. 10), so you must wait till then to do the training. Once they have your name and ID number on file, (current estimate: Sept. 16), you can go to the website (http://compliance.uta.edu/training/) via any computer, select "non-employee login" on the sidebar, and do the 20-minute online training. When you have completed it, please be sure to print out the completion certificate. You should not need to file an IRB proposal--I will submit a blanket proposal for the class, but you must do the compliance training.

4. What about consent forms from the teachers?

Another thing you must do before you begin each session of observing, is get each teacher you observe to sign a consent form. (You will need an administrator's signature too; if you don't have this part signed yet, please ask Andrea Chaney, the ELI scheduling coordinator, to sign that line). You can get copies of the required form from me (let me know how many you need once you know your schedule), or download this consent form pdf file (I recommend photocopying it as a two-sided form, so that the teacher will read the front and sign the back.)

5. When does the 5393 class meet?

There will not be a joint meeting of all those taking Ling. 5393 this semester; planning observing, and writing will be done individually. Before you begin, let me know what you want to do to satisfy the above requirements. Email me a brief written ''proposal'' stating whether you want to do your observing off campus or through ELI, and I will notify you of my acceptance or change(s) to our proposal. If you wish to discuss your work in the Practicum (before you begin or later), email me or drop by to see me.

6. Participating teachers have asked that once you are set up to begin observing in their class, you please keep in mind the following procedures:

: a) Be on time to class and remain for your entire scheduled time.; b) Sit where the teacher asks you to.; c) Do not interrupt the class to add your own observations or corrections; interact with the class only at the teacher's initiation.; d) Do not hold private discussions during the class (with students or other observers).; e) Turn off pagers and phones before the class begins.; f) Once you have settled on the dates for your observations, do not ask for a change in the schedule.; g) If you have questions or problems, contact Dr. Stvan.

More information will be forthcoming, but for now, consider how you plan to do your observation and teaching time,
print and turn in your schedule forms, and let me know if you have any further questions.

University Policies

Americans With Disabilities Act

The University of Texas at Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 93112 -- The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of new federal legislation entitled Americans With Disabilities Act - (ADA), pursuant to section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens.

As a faculty member, I am required by law to provide "reasonable accommodation" to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Student responsibility primarily rests with informing faculty at the beginning of the semester and in providing authorized documentation through designated administrative channels (that is, you must first register with the office of disability accommodation on the lower level of University Center).

Assistance for Success

The University of Texas at Arlington supports a variety of student success programs to help you connect with the University and achieve academic success. They include learning assistance, developmental education, advising and mentoring, admission and transition, and federally funded programs. Students requiring assistance academically, personally, or socially should contact the Office of Student Success Programs at 817-272-6107 for more information and appropriate referrals.

Academic Dishonesty

I take academic honesty very seriously, and I expect you to. It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington that academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form. All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University.

"Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts." (Regents' Rules and Regulations, Part One, Chapter VI, Section 3, Subsection 3.2, Subdivision 3.22)

Withdrawals
It is the student's responsibility to initiate and complete any withdrawal from the class. The instructor cannot withdraw a student.

Go to Laurel Stvan's home page.
Last Updated: Sept. 19, 2003