Term

Fall 2021

Capstone

Capstone Project

Degree Name

MA-TESOL

Facilitator(s)

Karen Moroz

Content Expert

Lindeman Wong

Abstract

Oral language proficiency requires more than simply knowing a language’s linguistic structure; learners must be able to quickly retrieve the relevant information to speak in a comparatively short amount of time. Speaking is the most fundamental language skill, and according to many researchers, the most complex as well, especially for adult learners. While many, perhaps most, adult ESL students rate the ability to speak fluently as the primary reason they are in class, practicing the skill can invoke considerable anxiety, which may stall or block learning. Reticence to speak typically results from anxiety, low self-confidence, or cultural expectations that discourage students from speaking unless spoken to. In addition, educational requirements and training for teachers of adult “non-academic” or “life-skills” ESL vary widely across the country, with many states not even requiring a bachelor’s degree. These factors led to the research question for this capstone project: Which are the best instructional practices teachers can use to build oral proficiency while minimizing anxiety and maximizing engagement? In response, a 10-hour professional development workshop was created for instructors of adult ESL, based on Malcolm Knowles’ principles of andragogy and Wiggin's and McTighe's Understanding by Design. Participants understand how anxiety can impede oral language development and discover pedagogical techniques for developing accuracy, fluency, and intelligibility that are engaging and confidence-boosting. Workshop participants are assessed to determine if learning objectives were met. The results of the assessments, as well as general feedback from participants, will inform future trainings.

Project Type

Professional Development

Keywords

Adult Education, ESL/ ELLs, Staff Development, Teachers/ Teaching

dc_type

text

dc_publisher

DigitalCommons@Hamline

dc_format

application/pdf

dc_source

School of Education Student Capstone Projects

Included in

Education Commons

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