U S A Learns A Web site to

U. S. A. Learns A Web site to teach English to adult learners Leslie Petty Project IDEAL Support Center lpetty@umich. edu

U. S. A Learns • A free Website to teach English • Created to test feasibility of web-based instruction • Funded by OVAE • Focused on ESL in response to President’s initiative • Designed primarily for independent learners, but teachers & tutors can set up online classes • Not intended for use in lab settings

Need for New Ways to Reach Adult ESL Learners • ~ 12 millions adults need to learn English • ~1. 1 million participate in ESL classes – Many programs have waiting lists – Barriers: child care, work schedules, transportation

Does the Web Make Sense? • Clear need for innovative approaches • Internet access among target audience growing rapidly • Many adult learners engage in self-study activities • Supported distance learning is effective – Unsupported distance learning is as yet untested

Target Audience for U. S. A. Learns • Immigrants with less than 12 years of formal education • Older adolescents and adults • Learners not currently enrolled in formal programs • Learners functioning at NRS levels 2 (low beginning) though 5 (high intermediate)

Pedagogical Assumptions • Language learning needs to focus on listening, reading, speaking and writing • Instructional content should be reflective of social and linguistic contexts • Language acquisition occurs through meaningful use and interaction with the language

ESL Techniques Applied • Comprehensible Input and Early Production – Language is supported by visuals to make meaning clear. – Activities require one or two-word responses at early stages. • Focused Listening – Listening for specific information. – Helps learners build linguistic awareness and become better listeners.

ESL Techniques, Continued • Life Skills Reading – Classified ads, application forms, etc. – Practice extracting pertinent information. • Scaffolding – "Temporary structure" to aid construction of meaning. • Problem Solving – Develop critical thinking skills & communicative competence.

Content Focus • Survival English and life skills • Language necessary for success in the community and workplace

Required User Skills • Familiarity with a computer mouse • Ability to point and click • Basic keyboarding familiarity • Fundamental understanding of how a Web browser operates

Features • Intuitive interface • Multiple types of “help” available • Extensive use of graphics, audio and video • Can be used as registered or unregistered learner. If registered, learner tracking and reporting is available. • Separate Web site for teachers or tutors to manage learner instruction

http: //www. usalearns. org/teacher

Thee Classes Full “courses” for beginning and intermediate ESL Supplementary materials

Teacher/Tutor Side • With online management system, teachers can : – – – Create an online class Monitor students’ progress & scores Score & comment on writing assignments Post messages to the online class Print instructions to help learners sign into class – Teachers: www. usalearn. org/teacher – Students: www. usalearns. org/class

Strategies for Teaching Distance Learners • Individualized instruction to meet student’s needs • Provide prompt feedback to students • Ask questions that elicit critical thinking • Communicate through any means available • Encourage study w/friends or family

Use of U. S. A. Learns Since launch on November 7 th • Total visits: 642, 089 • Total page views: 38, 596, 187 • Average page views per visit: 60 • Average time per visit: 25: 46 minutes

Testimonials An independent learner: “Just I want to say thanks for this program. Is very important for me to learn English, but for my job I can’t to go to school. Thanks again and God bless all of you. Dra. Rossi Arguedas rossi@rossiarguedas. org

Testimonials An adult education teacher: “Learners have become so motivated by the integration of language and technology learning that they arrive early and stay later than class times in order to use it. ” Theresa Pagano Syracuse City School District New York

Testimonials A high school teacher: “My high school students have been using USA Learns a couple of times a week since it "opened for business" and have found it very engaging and useful (as have I!). Both they and I have particularly liked how easy it is for students to listen and then record (and subsequently listen) to their repeating words. In fact, when I tell students during the last fifteen minutes of class that they can log-off and go to any of the other 9, 000 links on my website, well over half the class typically chooses to stay on USA Learns. ” Larry Ferlazzo Luther Burbank High School Sacramento, CA