Language Connector Dahwun Kim Jonathan Palley Wuping Lu Guided English Conversation Learning

Huodoushan Village Luanping County, Heibei Province, China One of the poorest village in the poorest county Provides drinking water for China’s Capital city; Beijing Therefore, the environment is stringently protected and no industry is allowed Unique resource = Tourism Most Beautiful part of The Great Wall (World Heritage of UNESCO) Main source of income = Sell products to Tourists

User – Bei My Name is Bei and I’m 14. I live in Huodoushan village with my mother, father, three sisters and one brother. I take care of them while my mother sells grass made toys and snacks to tourists. My parents say good education is important so I go to school in the afternoon. In school we learn English but the teacher rarely speaks English. I think he doesn’t know much E nglish. I cannot speak English. I envy my friend’s big sister, Tao because she can speak English and she makes a lot of money as a tour guide. She says she will go to the big city or study abroad one day. I wish I could be like her. Bei’s Daily Life and Dream

400 students (mean family income = $162 per year) In 2002, Ameco company donated 40 computers with internet access. Poor quality English teachers (high school diploma is the highest degree) In 2003, Ameco sent 3 volunteers to teach intensive spoken English Fluency in English will provide students with more opportunities. Knowledge-based Learning vs Performance-based Learning Need a long term solution. Ameco Hope Middle school students in Huodoushan Village Learning Situation

Allows distant native speaker volunteers the ability to train local students Language Connector Bei Student Huodoushan Village, China Jane Doe English Speaker United States + Voice and Video over IP + Guided Conversation Space

Educational Goals What? –Focus : fluency in Speaking English –Provides pedagogical guided conversation with volunteer native speakers How? –Guided Learning ; Scenario based learning activities and assessment tools –Performance-based ; Recording of conversation and feedback So what? –Makes the conversation more structured so learning is effective –Scenario based learning mirroring real life situations –Builds Metacognitive skills (ability to monitor their learning) –Makes the learning fun and enjoyable –Motivates students –Improves English skills for hopes of future economic success

Student: Step 1: Selecting Scenario Jane Doe is online and ready to talk to you! Select a Scenario: Greeting Visitors Taking a food order Giving a tour of Wall Giving Directions Dealing with Money NOTE: This screen will be in Chinese as well

Student: Step 2: Reviewing Learning Goals You are about to start the Taking a Food Order Scenario Here’s the words to try to use: Menu Spicy Salty Low-fat Special You should practice: Answering questions about the men u Taking an order Responding to changes in orders Begin NOTE: This screen will be in Chinese as well

Trainer: Guided Conversation Space Scenario: Ordering Food The word is: abundance Make Correction Send Text You Said: “Fresh salad has most desire I would say: “Fresh salad is the most desired” Vocab To Use ✔ Hot ✔ Rice ✔ Spicy Based on menu, ask: ✔ student to describe two items on menu ✔ student’s recommended dish and why. ✔ Chef’s special ✔ Is [item] spicy? ✔ Is [item] salty? ✔ Is [item] fatty? Place an order ✔ Student should ask about drink ✔ Ask how long it will take to make ✔ Request price Discussion ✔ What would you put on the menu? ✔ Why? Move on to receiving food Provides questions and material for trainers – guiding conversation Shared visual space with learner. Includes images (i.e. menu) to prompt conversation, and drawing and whiteboard tools Structured and r ecordable templates for feedback Vocabulary student i s trying to learn

Student: Guided Conversation Space The word is: abundance Please say that again Can you type that word? You Said: “Fresh salad has most desire I would say: “Fresh salad is the most desired” Vocab To Use ✔ Hot ✔ Rice ✔ Spicy Shared visual space with learner. Includes images (i.e. menu) to prompt conversation, and drawing and whiteboard tools Integrated Vocabulary lookup Vocabulary student i s trying to learn Jane Doe Video over IP – video greatly enhances ability to learn language Abundance: ### Add to vocab Recordable methods to interact with trainer without interrupting flow of conversation Scenario Progress You’ve answer 12 of 3 0 questions. You have used 5 of the recommended vocab words Your trainer has made 10 corrections

Student: Feedback Feedback Comprehensible but may need some inferences Questions you had trouble with: What dish would you recommend How long will it take Word/Phrases to practice pronouncing Spicy Be right back Review Conversation