Teaching Second-Language Learners on Mainstream Courses An introduction to ESOL

Alphabet Soup EFL: English as a Foreign Language ESL: English as a Second Language (T)ESOL: English for speakers of other languages L1 – Learners using first or native language L2 – Learners using an additional language IELTS - International English language testing system EAP – English for academic purposes FCE – Cambridge First Certificate in English E3 – Entry level 3

Typical profiles of L2 students: Settled in UK post Yr 8 Strong speaking & listening Weak written language Confused by disruption in education Limited formal vocabulary Gaps in technical knowledge Under-performs in unsuitable written exams International Strong academic background Strong motivation Good technical knowledge Weaker spoken English Limited informal vocabulary Limited cultural knowledge Confused by assessment Confused by teacher/student relationship

Common problems: L2 student settled in UK during secondary school Forced to take unsuitable courses: e.g. GCSE English Language Labelled as ‘struggling’ Confused by disruption in education Confused by different register (formal/informal) Low academic expectations amongst peers Under confident

Where can L2 students get help? Initial Assessment ESOL initial assessments throughout year in M206a: - Monday 11:00 – 12:00 Monday 18:00 – 19:00 Tuesday 11:00 – 12:00 Wednesday 14:00 – 15:00 Thursday 11:00 – 12:00 Classes Self-Access classes Staffed by ESOL team throughout the year Open to all learners who think they would benefit from additional ESOL input Covers reading, writing, speaking and listening. Times Monday 1:30 – 3:00 Tuesday 5:00 – 6:00 Wednesday 1:30 – 3:00 Thursday 1:30 – 3:00

The English Language How many words? OED defines 615,100 words 41,700 are obsolete. 240 ‘ghost words’ 430 uses of ‘set’ Usage Lederer: 10,0000 words Pinker: 60,000 average teen Lederer ‘most democratic language in history’ ‘relative simplicity of syntax and grammar Typical vocabulary German: 180,000 words Russian: 160,000 words French 150,000

What is IELTS? International English Language Testing System Tests English proficiency across the globe. Most popular English testing system. Which organisations accept IELTS? IELTS is accepted by more than 6000 organisations worldwide. universities, immigration departments, government agencies, professional bodies and multinational companies. IELTS has two versions – Academic and General Training.Academic and General Training Academic test is for those who want to study in an English-speaking country. General Training test for those migrating to or living in an English-speaking country. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking tests but different Reading and Writing tests.

What do universities ask for? Kingston: Minimum IELTS score – Arts and Social Sciences; Pharmacy: 6.5 – Business and Law: 6.0 – Architecture; Art and Design; Science; Engineering; Computing, Information Systems and Mathematics; and Surveying: 6.0 Warwick: Minimum IELTS score Faculty of Arts: 6.5 Faculty of Science 6.0 Psychology 6.5 Social Studies 7.0 Business School 7.0

What Language learners find difficult? Irregular Verbs 180 irregular verbs Thousands of regular ones 70 % of all verbs used Pinker: irregular verbs are fossils New verbs are all regular Children & L2 learners make similar mistakes ‘writed’ ‘speaked’ etc 10 most used verbs : - be, make, do, take, go, come see, get, come, say Difficult because they are illogical: - The book you read today is the same as the one you read yesterday l Other common problems Articles: use of a/the/an Past present/agreement Phrasal verbs

Readibility Stats Ideally you should have low numbers for: passive voice, words per sentence, characters per word and Flesch Reading Grade level - You should have a minimum of 60 for Flesch Reading Ease.

Typical Assignment brief How easy to read Sentences per paragraph: 1 (low) Words per sentence: 12 (high) Characters per word: 5.3 (low) Passive: 9% (very high) Flesch Reading Ease: (30.4 ) (very high) Flsch Kikaid: 12.1 (very high) Conclusion Text difficult to read. Biggest problems are: use of passive voice, number of long sentences. Vocabulary score slightly misleading because of amount of repetition. Solution: shorter sentences using active rather than passive verbs. Reduce number of abstract nouns.