ESL Orientations

 I'd love to hear how different programs offer ESL Orientations- especially those who receive AEFLA funding which requires testing.  What does your comprehensive orientation look like?  Are there any resources available in LINCS?

Thank you

Cristina, Wisconsin Technical College System

Comments

Cristina, 

If I am understanding correctly, you're interested in how programs orient new students and give the required testing before students enter class. I work in a community college with a healthy enrollment of ESL students. We are Title II funded and use the CASAS test as our mandated test for MSGs. Because the test only tests for reading aptitude, we have teachers who are paid to run orientations for new students. At the orientation, students are told about class requirements and engage in discussions (oral assessments). They also complete a writing assessment that the teacher looks at during the orientation. At the end of the orientation, the teacher tells students which class level each student will be placed in based on their speaking, listening, and writing skills. In the week following the orientation, the student takes the state-mandates test and registers for their class. 

This process is time- and labor-intensive, but it allows us to target all of a student's skills rather than placing them based on reading alone. I should note that it's also possible to do this way because classroom teachers are not responsible for testing students with the CASAS. We have staff in a testing room who handle all of that.

Erin and Cristina,

At my Title II ESL program, we test CASAS reading and CASAS listening.  It helps give a clearer, objective overview of the student, and we use the CASAS item analysis to program accordingly.  On top of that, at post testing, we have 2 chances for students to show an NRS gain.  But I agree: a comprehensive orientation is a lot of work! I'm presenting on this topic at COABE Atlanta, if you want to join.  

Your responses are quite helpful.    In WI, we are trying to get a sense of what ESL orientations look like at the 16 technical colleges since they are all distinc. We would like to identify promising practices.   Erin- I would very much like to see your presentation at COABE but unfortunately, I cannot make it.  Is this something you would be willing to share after the  conference or  could you recommend any resources or best practices on developing comprehensive orientations?    Thank you .