Teacher Discussion Forums

[tcollura]

Does anyone have a peer ESL program implemented in their school? If so how does it work and how well does the program work? If not what are some opinions experienced ESL teacher might have on a volunteer program where students are given a short training and tips on how to teach ESL? The EL's would be assigned a student to meet with once a day to work on English speaking and reading. It's basically a tutoring system, but set up to accelerate the progress our students learning English. The benefits of such a program might help the ESL students feel more comfortable along with a faster learning time of English. The students serving as the peer teachers would obviously have to have a desire to teach English and be selected rigorously.

[KRizzo]

We had a program at the school where I was a teacher last year. It was through the "work study" program that was implemented at the high school. One period a day the student (who had interest in becoming a teacher - this was usually the case but not always) came in to an ESL classroom and sat with one student and read with them or tutored them in different ways (usually assignments given by the teacher). It worked out really well and the student got credit for their time.

[tcollura]

That's awesome!!! I think that at my school where we have a lunch/ student prep block they could use a program like this. The 35 minutes that the the student is in prep they could meet with their peer ESL tutor and spend that time with them. Could you post the programs guidelines and setup so that I can see if it's something that my school could use? Thanks.

[Mromero]

I love this idea!!! students could have a buddy in an older grade that sits with them at lunch and helps them with their BICS so that they can improve on their CALP. Please post the guidelines for this or let me know.