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ESL EDUCATION CONTINUES TO DEVELOP IN
CLASSROOM AND BEYOND
By Kristen Casey, ESL Department Chair
OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS
,
the English as a Second Language (ESL) program at SKS
has seen great growth and development. We offer various literature, composition, and history
classes that range from beginner to advanced. Our small classes allow for a true connection with
students, which in turn leads to greater intellectual curiosity. Students are able to set and achieve
their personal goals within the class. In my classroom, it
is important to create a trusting environment that also
promotes respect and builds confidence.
With the integration of classroom technology, the ESL
department has found unique and creative ways to engage
students. One of the tools that our classes will be using this
year is Edmodo, an app that provides students with a way
to collaborate. Students can respond to discussion questions
to the teacher or each other. It is a safe and fun way for
students to express their opinions and ideas on a topic being
discussed in class.
While our beginner and intermediate classes focus
more on language immersion, grammar and vocabulary,
and short writing tasks, the advanced classes are expanding
and refining their writing. Students explore topics such as
poverty, population growth, urban development, human
rights, the environment, and many others through historical and current events.
One of the principal goals I have for my students is to think critically about the world around
them. I encourage them to be independent, confident learners, able to express their own ideas and
opinions and make thoughtful, value-based decisions. To do this, I believe that education must
also extend outside the classroom. Two years ago, the ESL department created and organized a
new international student orientation week. The week consisted of on and off campus activities
to help acclimate students to campus life and to engage with their peers. This year, students took
part in a campus barbecue and campfire, where they talked about
their travels to a new country and what they were looking forward
to during the new school year. After a few days of participating
in meetings about school expectations, dorm life, and placement
testing, the students took a break from academics and headed to
New York City to see a Broadway musical and then spent a day
kayaking on the Hudson River. Additionally, we decided to add
an overnight weekend trip to round out the orientation week.
What better way to acclimate our new students then to take them
to our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.? We explored the muse-
ums along the National Mall, visited the Senate, walked through Arlington National Cemetery to
watch the elaborate ceremony of the changing of the guard, and lastly stopped to see the White
House. Students also spent an exciting day experiencing roller coasters and amusement rides at
Six Flags America.
As the department chair, I am extremely proud of my enthusiastic and experienced faculty
and we are dedicated to helping all of our students succeed. Our vision as a department is for our
students to be able to apply what is learned to all contexts and events. I am excited to share my
knowledge and be a part of such an incredible and intellectual environment.
SKS
|
News
“
With the integration of classroom
technology, the ESL department has
found unique and creative ways
to engage students.”
—
Kristen Casey, ESL Department Chair
Students share information using
an iPad in an ESL class, taught by
ESL Department Chair
Kristen Casey.
AMANDA PENECALE
