Week 14 -- Wrap-up

The reading in the sugarsync folder attempts to combine all of the SLA theories we've covered into one model. Are you satisfied with it? Hopefully not.

I hope that you have developed (or are still developing) your own idea about how languages are learned and what effective teaching looks like. This week, we'll attempt to put it all together.

This week there are two tasks:

1. Look over the reading. The gist is most important. Focus on how Gass has simply combined everything we've already talked about into one model. This should act as a review.

2. More importantly, post 3-5 (or more) "big" questions that you still have about SLA. These questions can be things that you are still curious about -- perhaps the course did not cover them sufficiently (or at all). The questions could also be about things you want your classmates' opinions about. The questions can be about connecting Meth, ICC, and SLA. Or the questions could be related to your own classrooms. Pretty much anything goes.

Basically, everyone is the Discussion Leader this week. Post these questions here by Thursday evening. I also need some time to read the questions and look for relevant research.

I'll collect them into one paper and we'll spend most of class discussing these in small groups, and then as a class.

Do not answer the questions on the blog. We'll answer them in class.

Week 13 -- Focus on your project this week.

No reading. No posts. Focus on making your Language Learner project awesome.

I am looking forward to hearing/reading them.

Week 12 Pair Presentation/Discussion guidelines (no Academic Reading Circles this week)

This week's reading tries to make SLA much more practical by examining six different proposals for classroom teaching.

Find a partner. Then look over the chapter and decide which proposal you want to present to the class. Post your pair (both names) and choice in the comments section of this post. First come, first served.

Your Presentation/Discussion should be about 10-15 minutes long. This is to be a very informal overview of the proposal, examples of research, pros/cons, personal experience, suggestion for future research, and whatever else you want to include to make it meaningful for your classmates.

You'll be given 15-20 minutes to meet with your partner next week at the beginning of class to finalize your presentation/discussion plans. Then we'll start.

The presentation/discussion should be:

• informative -- mention the key points
• interactive -- ask questions to the class
• interesting/meaningful -- be creative; allow classmates to personalize

You can use all or none of the following:

• WB
• ppt
• handouts
• video/audio

The presenters have the option of standing in front of the class or remaining seated in a round table discussion format.

This will be graded as part of your homework grade.

Week 11 Academic Reading Circles

Three readings this week. The SLLT is the priority.

Week 10 Academic Reading Circle

This week's reading is a little tough. There's a lot of information and not all of it is relevant to classroom teachers. However, I feel obligated to give you a full view of Vygotsky's ideas in relation to SLA.

As you read, try to focus on the ZPD (what it is), co-construction of meaning, scaffolding, and how it all connects to Methodology (or what you're doing in your classrooms).

***New groups and roles posted in the sugarsync folder.

Week 9 Academic Reading Circle

This week's reading continues the Information Processing model with some classroom implications. In class we'll evaluate some textbooks according to Bloom's Taxonomy.

Week 8 Academic Reading Circle

Don't forget to do the reading and fulfill your ARC role.

You should also be thinking about a language feature for your research project.