Get your L’s at ELS Content Based Language Teaching Carol Potter Advanced Skills Lecturer TAFESA English Language Services

Why? Pathways to employment and social integration Student interest Appropriate for new client groups

History Pilot projects Bilingual tutor and small group (2001) Class with Interpreter and ESL teacher (2002) Class profile Bilingual groups of learners 2 hours a week for 10 weeks Close involvement of Transport SA

Now 10 (or 20) x 2 hour sessions Regular optional module Taught at every certificate level (1-3) Multilingual classes with ESL teacher No interpreter Less involvement from Transport SA Teacher support for testing process

Methodology Speaking, listening, reading and computing Seating in first language clusters Emphasis on visual aids: –illustrated books –slides/transparencies –small and large flash cards –realia –diagrams Interactive learning: –Small group –Whole class Question/Answer, mime and matching activities

Teaching/Learning materials Teacher-produced materials –worksheets –booklets –cards –photgraphs –revision quizzes –intersections

The ‘Get Your L’s’ resource pack 5 illustrated books –covers content of SA Driver’s Handbook –simple English –thematically arranged –sequential build up of Give Way skills and road signs books –Multiple Choice Question test and Give Way test in each book(with answers)

The ‘Get Your L’s’ resource pack Give Way cards –Accompanying A3- sized intersections –Sequentially arranged –Answers on the back

The ‘Get Your L’s’ resource pack Multiple Choice Question Cards –Sequentially arranged –Answers on the back

The ‘Get Your L’s’ resource pack Visual Images –Over 200 coloured images (on CD Rom) –Follow the sequence of the text in each book

Outcomes Student relationships Confidence levels Commitment –Drop out rate –Absences - Catch ups Punctuality Homework Success rates English development

Advantages of Content-based learning Language used for real- life purposes –Motivated learners –Collaborative, task- based learning –Subconscious language acquisition –Settlement