content-based instruction: english for child care at mission college
DESCRIPTION
CBI at the Community College Level: Is it Feasible?Content-based instruction (CBI) refers to the teaching of language through exposure to content that is interesting and relevant to learners. This content serves several purposes. First, it provides a rich context for the language classroom, allowing the teacher to present and explain specific language features. Additionally, it addresses the learners’ need for cognitively challenging input that can both facilitate language acquisition and help foster critical thinking skills. In her contribution to the six-person panel, Marsha Chan describes on the English for Child Care program at Mission College. She joins panelists in discussing successes and challenges in implementing CBI at the community college with respect to a variety of issues, including the selection of content or discipline areas, program design, funding, and administrative concerns.TRANSCRIPT
Content-Based Instruction: English for
Child Care at Mission College
Santa Clara, CA
Marsha ChanPanelist
CBI at the Community College Level: Is it Feasible?
Organized by Donna Brinton
ESL curriculum overview
Over 23 courses at 7 levels:970 Advanced960 High intermediate950 Intermediate940 Low Intermediate930 High Beginning920 Beginning910 Fundamental
ESL for Child Care/Child Development
940CC English for Students of Child Development930CC English for Child Care II920CC English for Child Care I
Child Care Providers approach Mission
College
Spring 2000: San José community group Asociación de Proveedores del Cuidado de Niños de San José approaches Mission College Child Development (CHD) Department requesting English language class for Child Care Providers.
ESL and CHD Deptsbegin collaboration
Fall 2000 – Fall 2004Mission College CHD dept’s request that ESL dept write a content-based ESL course results in ESL 920CC ESL for Child Care. Note: No published ESL course
materials for this content area, and no ESL faculty has CHD experience.
Funding for curriculum development
Collaboration and curriculum development is supported by Workplace Learning Resource
Center VATEA: Carl D. Perkins
Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act
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Classes offered in the community
ESL 920CC is offered at Choices for Children in downtown San José.
ESL 920CC is offered at PTRAC: Provider Training, Resource & Activity Center in San José.
Classes offered on campus
Spring 2005: ESL 920CC English for Child Care begins to be taught at Mission College, Santa Clara.
ESL 920CC off-campus ends when ESL dept cannot find instructor willing to teach content-based English without a textbook or content-specific expertise.
Second ESL for CC course
Fall 2005: ESL for Child Care students request second level class.
ESL 940CC ESL for Students of Child Development is written, with support & input from ESL and CHD, and funding from the Bay Area Community College Consortium.
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Second course is offered
Fall 2006-Spring 2009ESL 920CC English for Child Care and ESL 940CC English for Students of Child Development are taught on campus at Mission in alternate semesters. Still a dearth of content-based course
materials. Instructor builds expertise through connections with CHD professionals & self-study.
Third course fills a gap
Fall 2009: ESL 930CC English for Child Care II focuses on English language to discuss ages and stages of child development.
ESL 920CC, revised as English for Child Care I, focuses on English language to communicate about children, health and safety.
Learning community
Fall 2009: ESL 940CC English for Students of Child Development and CHD 1 Child Growth and Development are paired. Faculty communication is supported by Basic Skills Initiative funding.
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Pathway from ESL to Child Care certification?
Mission ESL and CHD faculty, with guidance from WpLRC Director, collaborate on grant to create a pathway for non-native speakers of English to Child Care certification.
Perkins VATEA proposal not accepted
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Continued community need for content-based
instruction
Spring 2010: Smart Start San José Family Child Care Training Program seeks CHD and ESL classes from Mission College.
Center for Employment Training (CET) San José seeks expertise of Mission College ESL for Child Care curriculum and materials.
Solutions 2010-2011
Smart Start San José receives grant, contracts with Mission College to provide CHD and ESL by Spanish-English bilingual instructors.
English for Child Care: Language Skills for Parents and Providers is published (Brems, Chan, & Rosner Sunburst Media).
CET San José adopts English for Child Care for courses taught by own instructors.
Viability of program: Challenges
Loss of support & advocacy at college WorkPlace Learning Resource Center
defunded Contract Education Dept defunded
ESL Dept funds only 1 course per semester
CA State restricts courses to 6 courses below English 1A
ESL credit course losses
970 Advanced960 High intermediate950 Intermediate940 Low Intermediate930 High Beginning920 Beginning910 Fundamental
In jeopardy940CC930CC920CC?
Revise as951CC941CC?931CC?
Viability of program: Assets
Continued need for English language training of child care providers
ESL–CHD collaborations, connections Mission College–community org
partnerships 3 courses in curriculum 2 FT faculty teach courses A course book for the first 2 courses Continued enrollment