ESL/EAP Program Saint Louis University
EAP 110 content class 4 hours per week Topics of global issues, social justice, and cultural studies 4 mandatory service projects for the whole class, accompanied by instructors Reflective blogs, required readings, presentations, response papers, and final reflection paper
Since 2008… Approximately 400 students… More than 30 teachers… Over 1,000 hours of service.
Students engage in community service activities with intentional academic and learning goals and opportunities for reflection that connect to their academic disciplines (Cress, 7). Not common in ESL programs because requires content-based instruction.
Promote critical thinking skills, connection between class content, ESL skill building, and life experience; Improve motivation to learn and adapt to the culture; Create opportunities to improve reading and writing fluency; and Teach the ideals of social justice within cultural contexts.
Connections between class topics and life outside the university, Students more positive in every area of the class, especially seeing peers as resources, but Still need explicit instruction for continued language acquisition, especially reading and writing, and Formation of concept(s) of social justice still in nascent stages.
Relationships inside… ESL Program Team of instructors Sustained content Institutional Support Finances Mission Preparation for students Rationale Scaffolding And outside… Community Network Practical Sustainable
Crandall, J., & Kaufman, D. (Eds.). (2002). Content-Based Instruction in Higher Education Settings. Alexandria, VA: Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages. Cress, C., Collier, P., & Reitenauer, V. (2005). Learning Through Service: A Student Guidebook for Service- Learning Across the Disciplines. Sterling: Stylus Publishing. Pally, M. (Ed.). (2000). Sustained Content Teaching in Academic ESL/EFL: A Practical Approach. New York: Houghton Mifflin. VOICES. (2007). Retrieved April 22, 2008, from