Washington Academy of Languages

Romanian children learn to read

Originally uploaded by operation.blessing

Even native-English-speaking children have trouble shifting from informal playground English to Academic English. Academic English involves relating a single event to other events, discussing events of long ago, making comparisons, justifying a choice, knowing different forms and inflections of words, and modes of expression specific to one discipline or another. At some point the student has to be able to read and write in academic language.

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My Classroom, I

Originally uploaded by Robert Pollack

Recently I have been observing several ESL teachers doing their practicum as a final step in achieving an Endorsement. I have noticed five behaviors in these very multicultural classrooms that struck me as almost paradoxical for an ESL teacher. I will raise these in the form of questions and hopefully some you can share your thoughts.

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final exam

Originally uploaded by dcJohn

One of the most common questions we receive regarding our Teaching English as a Second Language program is: “What can I do with a TESL Certificate?”

At Washington Academy of Languages, we offer both a TESL Certificate and an ELL Endorsement. The latter is a state-regulated endorsement applied to an active Teaching Certificate. So, if a teacher would like to teach K-12 ELL in the public schools, they will need a Teaching Certificate as well as an ELL Endorsement.

The TESL Certificate, on the other hand, is offered for teachers who would like to teach ELL abroad or, where a certificate is sufficient, in the United States. Our courses cover pedagogy strategies for all ages, and help our teachers build knowledge of first and second language acquisition theories. After earning the TESL Certificate, what do our teachers do?

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I’ve worked at WAL for many years as an activities coordinator with our English language students. At the beginning of each new term, I must plan a menu of things to do, see or play so that the students can enjoy using the English language skills they are learning at WAL.

But sometimes… I just need MORE time to think up something. Getting that perfect “idea” at the beginning of a session just doesn’t come very easily. There are times you just can’t get an old idea out of your head. How do I let myself think of ideas that are new and different for our students, and yet still have an excitement about it for myself as well?

How about by thinking of NO IDEAS at first? (Do I have your curiosity now?)

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Presidential debate John McCain Barack Obama Black and white 08

Originally uploaded by Haneybabe

There is a great thing that can be done with language in our culture, that is, the rules of politeness are suspended during presidential elections. We are allowed to call presidential candidates names, tell lies, and alter the pragmatics of the language. This is an old practice and we take great pride in it. Our parents should teach us never to use vulgar language except during presidential elections. Cindy McCain, for example, said, “Barack Obama is conducting the dirtiest campaign in history.” Historian Kathleen Hall Jamison tells us that our founding fathers intended our elections to be dignified. Elections were to be a dignified, deliberative activity, carried out by a few wealthy men. In 1796 Benjamin Franklin’s grandson wrote of Washington: “If ever a nation was debauched by a man, the American nation has been debauched by Washington.” Things didn’t begin well.

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Sarah Palin

Originally uploaded by Celeste Van Kirk

It is ironic that we are celebrating Noah Webster’s birthday – the founder of American English would be 250 years old this week. It should be recalled, but seldom is, that when his dictionary of American English appeared, only about 60% of Americans spoke English. This was in 1800 I believe. Webster was concerned about our spelling mostly; he wanted to make it easier. He removed the “u” from the British “colour” and the redundant “k” in “musick.” Unlike the French, he thought “centre” should be spelled “center” as it sounds. We all know many other examples.

But speaking and spelling are two entirely different areas. Sarah Palin’s accent has produced renewed interests in the variety of our accents. Recently the comedian Robin Williams said Palin’s accent is “like Tina Fey meets Fargo.” This bit of humor caused an angry editorial in Anchorage. Nevertheless one can argue she makes an “o” sound like the Scandinavians and Germans in the areas around Fargo, North Dakota. But on the other hand, dropping the “g” is a language phenomenon found in Wisconsin and parts of Minnesota. Then again, to count the word “terrorist” as having only two syllables can be found in parts of Mississippi.

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Hilary Clinton speaks in Elyria, Oh

Originally uploaded by bridget commisso-caswell
In this political year, we are particularly sensitive to gender-specific language which may brand one as a sexist. There are certain speech patterns that are followed by gender and they have been known for a long time. Here are a few patterns which we hardly notice are even gender specific.

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Back to School

Originally uploaded by Danarah

Welcome back to school, teachers and students! With all of this fall’s discussion about Bellevue School District’s Curriculum Web, we wanted to take a look at how curricula are created for our local ELL classes.

We hear from teachers in our ELL Endorsement program all the time about the curricula their districts expect them to teach. They run the gamut from pre-prepared lesson plans to a list of texts they must use for developing a program to a lack of any formal guidance. These differences can mean major issues for the districts. What happens when a student must move frequently from one school to another within the district? Will s/he transition more or less seamlessly into a new ELL classroom? Or are the differences between classes too great to bridge the learning gap?

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Wednesday Morning Sunrise at Kerry Park

Originally uploaded by Cap’n Surly
From the World Languages dispatch desk, here’s a rundown of the World Language news. Read on for an update of our class schedule – now with more schedule options! And don’t miss info regarding WAL joining the twenty-first century online!

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As activities coordinator for our international students at WAL who are learning English as a Second Language, I have a lot of fun. Plus, a lot of “on the job” adventures to share. Let me tell you about one…

A few weeks ago, a small group of students and I went to Seattle Premier Outlets in Tulalip, WA, We wanted to experience American bargain shopping at its best! The one problem: this trip required taking 3 buses from downtown Seattle! For anyone who has spent much time in Seattle, you know how treacherous this can be.

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