Increasing the Rigor of ESL

Instruction through Project-

Based LearningForum for Excellence

September 2017

Laurie Martin

Adult Learning Resource Center

Project-Based Learning

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Math

Language

Workforce Readiness

Content Knowledge

PBL

Why do PBL?

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Meet ESL Standards

ELP 1: construct meaning from oral presentations and literary and informational text through level-appropriate listening, reading, and viewing.

ELP 3: speak and write about level-appropriate complex literary and informational texts and topics.

ELP 2: participate in level-appropriate oral and written exchanges of information, ideas, and analyses, in various social and academic contexts, responding to peer, audience, or reader comments and questions.

ELP 5: conduct research and evaluate and communicate findings to answer questions or solve problems.

ELP 4: construct level-appropriate oral and written claims and support them with reasoning and evidence.

ELP 7: adapt language choices to purpose, task, and audience when speaking and writing.

Higher, faster

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Teach Academic Language

Most people …Half the class …Two-thirds of …Greater thanLess thanPercentage

We found that …According to …Our conclusion is …

I agree with …I disagree with …I recommend …I suggest …

research

analyze

summary

data

5 Easy Steps

1. Select topic

2. Plan

3. Research

4. Develop product

5. Share

Photo by Laurie Martin. Used with permission.

Get Real• Project meets a real need in the real world, or product is

used by real people

• Project focuses on a real issue that is relevant to students’ lives

• Project sets up a scenario or simulation that is realistic

• Project involves tools, tasks, or processes used by adults in real settings or workplaces

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Produce and Distribute

• How do real people find, keep, and access information?

• Is there a way for the audience to access the information again?

Group presentations to class Print materials Live demonstration Video Post to a class website, blog, wiki

Cookbook or Book

• Select a topic• Plan

▫ Assign responsibilities▫ Set timelines▫ Budget

• Write and collect• Produce• Distribute

Resource List or Notebook

• Emergency contact list

• Notebook or list of community services

1. What kinds of services might be included in a resource notebook for newcomers?

2. How can students research community services?

3. What role would the teacher play in this project? What about the students’ role?

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Where’s the best buy?

Research and compare information about ▫ Standard food or household items

▫ Gas prices

▫ Apartment rents

▫ Public transportation fares

▫ Financial services

▫ Prescription medicines

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Onion Tears Remedies from Susan Gaer’s

Home Remedy Project• Date/Time: 2006-03-24 14:26:49 PST

Stacey RogoskiCountry of Remedy = USAIngredients = No ingredient just a toothpick. Stick the toothpick in your mouth while you cut. NO MORE TEARS!!

• Date: Tuesday, August 23, 2005 Time: 9:57 AM ESTSimonCountry of Remedy: New ZealandIngredients: One piece of sliced breadInstructions: Hold bread in mouth so as you can see over it enough to not cut yourself.

Skill Swap Directory

Only A Only B

A and B Neither A nor B

Change a tireTrain a dog

Bake a cakeUse a computer

Grow vegetables Fix a leaky faucet

Johari Windows

Things I need help with Skills or services I can trade

Fix a broken window Weed a garden

Paint a wall Bake and decorate a birthday cake

Clean and organize closet Sewing

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Solve a Community Problem

From The Change Agent - September 2014 issue on food:

• Junk Food Easy to Find - Healthy Food, Not So Much• Bees Are Essential to Food Production - But They Are Dying by the

Billions• Addicted to Food• Small Steps to Healthy Habits• Factory Farming & the Meat We Eat• Restaurant Reality - What Tipped Workers Want You to Know• Backyard Chicken Coop

Other topics in The Change Agent• Prisons and Justice• Race• Transportation• Struggle• Career Pathways

What issues in your students’ communities might lend themselves to a project?

Collect Information with a Survey

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You try!

• Survey two people about their produce needs (handout p. 4).

Plan a Community Event

• Health Fair

• International Festival

• Rummage Sale

• Clean-up Day

• Food Drive

• ???

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