Meth. Crosscult. Instr.

Course Description

An examination of content-area instruction for English language learners. Covers strategies that foster English Language Development (ELD) lesson development, adaptation, and delivery. Also covers Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English (SDAIE) and ‘instructional scaffolds’ as well as ‘instructional conversations’ to support ELD.

Learning Outcomes

• Develop a repertoire of instructional strategies including SDAIE and CALLA. Become familiar with Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development, Bruner’s assisted performance, Goodman’s whole language, Trim and Van Ek’s threshold level of language as well as Tharp and Gallimore’s instructional conversation.
• Design activities that validate students’ own experiences while learning to communicate in English. Recognize the importance of fostering positive self-esteem in all students.
• Develop classroom modifications for language learners.
• Compare and contrast the interaction of language in the home and in the school.
• Recognize the effect of psychological, sociocultural and political factors that influence how the needs of English Language Learners are addressed.
• Critique the major types of attitudes and behaviors towards language and language variations.
• Acquire techniques to promote educational equity among students from diverse cultures, language, gender, ethnicity, and individuals with special needs.
• Acquire skills to foster the ability of students to evaluate information, think analytically, and reach sound conclusions.