It is time to review the schedule for the placement of your session in the AAACE Agenda. This is the final draft of the Schedule. When you look up your name, use the detail listing to check what days/times you asked to be placed. This is a huge program and we can accommodate necessary changes in day and time now, but may not be able to do so after September 1, 2013 except in emergencies. Please carefully check your placement and send any requests to Ginger Phillips, AAACE Conference Planner with AAACE Session Change Request in the subject line. We will respond to your email, but it may take us up to a week to do so. Thanks for your help in "fine tuning" this agenda!
ESL Students and Engagement in Self-Directed Learning: Practice and Possibilities
Type of Presentation
Symposium
Session Abstract
This session will explore the self-directed learning resources, strategies and techniques ESL students are using to enhance their English language skills outside of the formal classroom environment.
Target Audience
The target audience for this session will be instructors of English as a Second Language (ESL) learners, ?those who prepare and train ESL instructors, and directors of programs offering adult education ?programs at the local or state level. Instructors teaching adult basic education and adult secondary ?education will also benefit from the discussion surrounding this topic. ?
Learning Outcomes
Session participants will be able to 1) discuss whether ESL students are learning independently outside of the formal classroom environment and if so, 2) outline which resources, strategies, and practices they choose to self-direct their learning and to what degree; 3) identify how demographics such as level of expertise in language development and country of origin play a role in which mode students are apt to pursue, and 4) consider the instructor’s role in students’ independent learning.
Session Description
Do ESL students self-direct their learning outside of the formal classroom environment, and if so, to ?what degree, and in what way(s)? The primary goal of this session is to present findings from ongoing ?research on this topic. In addition, the intent is to explore with participants how the ?heterogeneous nature of the ESL classroom means varying levels of expertise in language ?development and diverse student experience with an andragogical approach to teaching and learning. ?Due to cultural and other differences or simply a lack of exposure, many students may be unfamiliar ?with the notion of learning on one's own. Self-directed learning skills in the pursuit of language ?acquisition can be extremely valuable when learning to function more effectively in society. These ?skills can be transferred to other areas of life such as navigating the education and health system, ?employment opportunities and the political system in a student's community. ?
Efforts are made to try to schedule sessions on the day preferred by the Primary Presenter, though this cannot be guaranteed. Please check your preference.
Friday November 8
Primary Presenter
Michael T. Miller, Ed.D., University of Arkansas
Work Title
Associate Dean, College of Education and Health Professions
Additional Presenters: Enters In Order.
Kenda S. Grover, Ed.D., University of Arkansas
Work Title
Assistant Professor, College of Education and Health Professions
Kit Kacirek, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
Work Title
Associate Professor, College of Education and Health Professions