I don't wish to disagree with you Naeema but as I originally said, the conference was 'billed' as an ESOL conference. I quote from the flier you sent to the discussion forum: ' ... the conference will focus on materials for the ESOL context, socio-cultural issues and materials development.'
This wasn't necessarily the case and that is the only point I was making. The conference was otherwise interesting but not directly relevant to the ESOL context. I also disagree with the quotation from Barton and Pitt. In some, if not many cases, there is a landslide of difference between ESOL and EFL. In the past we have had to create classes purely for EU migrants whose language and cultural needs are distinctly different to some of our 'traditional' asylum seekers and refugees. As Jennifer stated, ESOL is increasingly being used as an umbrella term and it is this which I don't think is helpful.
Stephen Woulds
mailto:[log in to unmask]
Leeds Thomas Danby
Roundhay Road
Leeds, LS7 3BG
tel: 0113 249 4912 fax : 0113 240 1967
http://www.leedsthomasdanby.ac.uk/
Principal and Chief Executive Roy Thorpe
http://www.leedsthomasdanby.ac.uk/
PBefore you print think about the ENVIRONMENT
This message contains confidential information and is intended only for [log in to unmask] If you are not [log in to unmask] you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify mailto:[log in to unmask] immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and delete this e-mail from your system. E-mail transmission cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free as information could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late or incomplete, or contain viruses Leeds Thomas Danby therefore does not accept responsability or liability for any errors or omissions in the contents of this message, which arise as a result of e-mail transmission.
________________________________
From: ESOL-Research discussion forum and message board [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Hann, Naeema [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 14 May 2008 13:10
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Language Learning Principles & Materials Development- 6th British Universities Postgraduate Research Conference
A further clarification, there is indeed an inreasing blur between ESOL and EFL which is not unhelpful. Certainly, a number of researchers 'now argue that such a divide between the two groups of learners is no longer sustainable, nor does it address the diverse needs of the adult learners who come to FE colleges for help with their English' (Barton and Pitt, 2003). As an ESOL and EFL practitioner with 27+ years of experience, I would agree.
As far as PostGrad conferences go, it was a good conference with a variety of topic areas to do with Materials Development for language learning. It certainly wasn't a pure ESOL conference and nor was it billed as such. A number of presentations were by overseas students and it would be limiting to impose the AECC as used in England and language level titles, as used mostly by state funded ESOL programmes in the UK, on English Language programmes overseas. English, and its teaching and learning, have healthily evolved for more than a century now and this is almost a uniting influence for many cultures and nationalities- it is the language they have in common and this is a great strength.
looking forward to the ESOL research group meeting tonight!
naeema
Naeema Hann
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
________________________________
From: ESOL-Research discussion forum and message board on behalf of Stephen Woulds
Sent: Wed 14/05/2008 08:05
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Language Learning Principles & Materials Development- 6th British Universities Postgraduate Research Conference
Just a quick feedback on the 'Language Learning Principles' conference. The flier for the event stated that the 'conference will focus on materials for the ESOL context' yet what I actually saw was a number of presentations on what I would consider to be EFL. Some participants for example were completely unaware of what Entry 1, Entry 2, etc, means. There does appear to be an increasing blurring of distinctions which I think is not helpful.
I noteable ESOL example was delivered by Bev Davies in which she gave a very persuasive presentation on 'returning to realia'. From the Salford Hertitage Services she discussed the use of historical objects to generate language activities, based on a project she ran with asylum seekers. The basic premise being one of physical engagement with objects and the very human desire to name and explain what we don't understand.
For more of her project and packs go to: http://www.salford.gov.uk/leisure/museums/esol.htm
To contact her: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
For more info on the national project (Open Doors) to engage skills for life learners with museums/heritage, go to: http://www.mlay-skillsforlife.org.uk/
Stephen Woulds
mailto:[log in to unmask]
Leeds Thomas Danby
Roundhay Road
Leeds, LS7 3BG
tel: 0113 249 4912 fax : 0113 240 1967
http://www.leedsthomasdanby.ac.uk/
Principal and Chief Executive Roy Thorpe
http://www.leedsthomasdanby.ac.uk/
PBefore you print think about the ENVIRONMENT
This message contains confidential information and is intended only for [log in to unmask] If you are not [log in to unmask] you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify mailto:[log in to unmask] immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and delete this e-mail from your system. E-mail transmission cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free as information could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late or incomplete, or contain viruses Leeds Thomas Danby therefore does not accept responsability or liability for any errors or omissions in the contents of this message, which arise as a result of e-mail transmission.
________________________________
From: ESOL-Research discussion forum and message board [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Hann, Naeema [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 27 April 2008 17:12
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Language Learning Principles & Materials Development- 6th British Universities Postgraduate Research Conference
Here is a conference in Leeds which may interest colleagues. It is a day conference and is free.
naeema
________________________________
Postgraduate Research Conference
Language Learning Principles & Materials Development
Saturday 10 May
10.30am - 4pm
310, Cloth Hall Court
[cid:204225808@25042008-1B79] <http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/>
[cid:204225808@25042008-1B80]
[cid:204225808@25042008-1B87]
6th British Universities Postgraduate Research Conference
[cid:204225808@25042008-1B8E] [cid:204225808@25042008-1B95]
You are invited to attend this stimulating one day conference – entry is free of charge!
The conference will provide postgraduate students and researchers from British, EU and overseas universities with an opportunity to put forward and exchange ideas on the interface between learning, teaching and materials development from both theoretical and practical perspectives.
A great networking opportunity and environment to debate ideas, the conference will focus on materials for the ESOL context, socio-cultural issues and materials development, as well as implementing methodologies in different contexts.
[cid:204225808@25042008-1B9C]
Plenary Guest Speaker
Ivor Timmis
Materials Design: Principled Compromise or Compromised Principles?
This seminar will discuss the process of writing materials for publication, with a particular emphasis on what happens when the principles of the material’s writer conflicts with the views of other stakeholders, such as publishers and education authorities.
[cid:204225808@25042008-1BAA]
ELT<http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/international/english/index.htm>
map & directions<file:///H:/LAC/FACULTY_MARKETING/2007-08/207ASG07%20-%20E%20News%20Bulletins%2007-08/ELT/Full_Maps_15Jan08_WEB.pdf>
leeds met<http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/>
courses<http://prospectus.leedsmet.ac.uk/main/index.htm>
contact us<http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/contact_us.htm>
To sign up for the conference, please contact Kelly Hemingway
0113 812 7440
[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
English Language Teaching
To view the terms under which this email is distributed, please go to http://disclaimer.leedsmet.ac.uk/email.htm
*********************************** ESOL-Research is a forum for researchers and practitioners with an interest in research into teaching and learning ESOL. ESOL-Research is managed by James Simpson at the Centre for Language Education Research, School of Education, University of Leeds. To join or leave ESOL-Research, visit http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ESOL-RESEARCH.html A quick guide to using Jiscmail lists can be found at: http://jiscmail.ac.uk/help/using/quickuser.htm To contact the list owner, send an email to [log in to unmask]
***********************************
ESOL-Research is a forum for researchers and practitioners with an interest in research into teaching and learning ESOL. ESOL-Research is managed by James Simpson at the Centre for Language Education Research, School of Education, University of Leeds.
To join or leave ESOL-Research, visit
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ESOL-RESEARCH.html
A quick guide to using Jiscmail lists can be found at:
http://jiscmail.ac.uk/help/using/quickuser.htm
To contact the list owner, send an email to
[log in to unmask]
To view the terms under which this email is distributed, please go to http://disclaimer.leedsmet.ac.uk/email.htm
*********************************** ESOL-Research is a forum for researchers and practitioners with an interest in research into teaching and learning ESOL. ESOL-Research is managed by James Simpson at the Centre for Language Education Research, School of Education, University of Leeds. To join or leave ESOL-Research, visit http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ESOL-RESEARCH.html A quick guide to using Jiscmail lists can be found at: http://jiscmail.ac.uk/help/using/quickuser.htm To contact the list owner, send an email to [log in to unmask]
***********************************
ESOL-Research is a forum for researchers and practitioners with an interest in research into teaching and learning ESOL. ESOL-Research is managed by James Simpson at the Centre for Language Education Research, School of Education, University of Leeds.
To join or leave ESOL-Research, visit
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ESOL-RESEARCH.html
A quick guide to using Jiscmail lists can be found at:
http://jiscmail.ac.uk/help/using/quickuser.htm
To contact the list owner, send an email to
[log in to unmask]
|
