EP assignment 1 .pdf

7/27/2019 EP assignment 1 .pdf

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1Alaa Bazuhayr

Professor WaldenENGL 1102-017

11 September 2013According to the first reading Theorizing the Space for Literacy Practices, figured

world is defined as a group of people living in a particular place or having the same jobs,characteristics, or reactions that are related to that place. Then, artifact is defined as the

description physical movements or the reaction of human in the context of the figured world. Inthe same article, actor or actors is defined as a group of people who are related to each other

because of the figured world that they are part of. Finally, what is understood from the article

that literacy practice is not only how people read or write it is how people are successful in otherfields of studies such as anthropology, sociology, linguistic, education, and so on.

For this assignment my figured world is going to be the English Language TrainingInstitute (ELTI), this institution is located at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC),

it gives many English instruction for international students who are planning to study abroad atone of U.S. universities or for the people who have passion to learn new language or to gain

some English skills. Since there are many people coming from deferent countries there are someof rules or conventions for appropriate and inappropriate behavior (it is going to be summarized

later) that actors should deal or interact with. The actors are going to be the director of the ELTI,the teachers, and the students. During the three observations there are going to be some literacy

practices other than just learning English.

At this institution there are seven levels that consider to determine what is the language

ability or how well the student has reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. In every level,there is a spastic books or skills limit that student should learn from. Usually, level one, two,three are consider to be lower level, but staring from level four through seven are consider to be

satisfied or professional level. Considering placement tests, Test of English as a ForeignLanguage (TOFEL), or international English Language Testing System (IELTS). After studying

some of its level, tests too can decide whether student is qualify or not to begin his or her newacademic life at the university or it may be a new business life since some jobs require skills or

ability in English. There are some appropriate behaviors at ELTI. First, treat people as you wishpeople treat you. Second, asking a lot questions related to English skills. Third, communicate

with other people who have different nationality. As there are appropriate behaviors there areinappropriate behaviors too. Such as, having more than 7 absents in one of the courses can

change the student visa statues, or smoking between classes at inappropriate places can lead toexpulsion from the institution, and other inappropriate behaviors that I am going to talk about

through out my observation project.

desktop support 9/12/13 9:55 AMComment [1]: Take look back againand review it for the article. Defineactor from your own words.

desktop support 9/12/13 9:57 AM

Comment [2]: A clear definition ofliteracy practice.


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2Alaa Bazuhayr


11 September 2013Observation One

Tuesday, September, 2013

Time: 1:00PM-2:15AM

Note: this observation took a place at one of the classes ELTI provides to their students to helpthem increase their skills or ability to listen or speak in English, it is held at College of Health

and Human Services building, room 285.

The actors on this observation are:Lynn: an listening/ speaking teacher, teaches advance levels (from 4 to 7), she has her own rule

that she always walks with her cellphones bag that contains small zip bags for every studentwith the students name tag on, this bag is for students who can not control themselves on the

class by using their cellphone.Mohammad: a student from Saudi Arabia, always active in the class, moves a lot and laugh a lot.

Majed: a student from Kuwaiti, I can see that he is kind off nerd always like to ask.Priscilla: a student from Columbia, sarcastic, she always makes fun of Mohammad.

Nesren: a shy girl from Libya, always smiling and smart student.

At 1:00 Lynn entered the class as usual with her cellphones bag, there are some students in theclass but some of them have arrived later, Lynn is now taking the attendants by her Moodle page.

At this time Mohammad is talking to Priscilla and she seems like she is not in the mood to listen

to hem, while Majed and Nesren are reading books.

At 1:05 Students are opining their books for Lynn to check the homework, some of them did it

some of them not, Mohammad did not do it because he has not buy the book yet, Priscilla islaughing about that, Lynn is disappointed and she ask him to get it by next class otherwise he is

going to be marked as an absent for the next class.

At 1:10 Lynn is asking the students to share their answers with the class, students are answeringall in the same time with a loud voice, she is impressive now that all of their answers are right.

At 1:20 Lynn is playing an Audio for student to listen, while they are listening they should

answer the question there in their books. Since Mohammad did not bring his book or we can saydid not have a book he is bothering Majed this time, and Majed is speaking to him in his

language like please stop talking to me I am focusing.

At 1:25 Lynn asked the Students to discuss the answers with a group of two, we can say it is aworkshop for them to practice their listing and speaking skills.

At 1:30 Students are ready now to share their opinion with their classmates, the topic is about

some to the restrictions or rules in Singapore, Priscilla is giving her opinion about it and thinkher country should have the same rules, Mohammad is laughing he think that it is funny, Lynn is

looking at him with an angry face like she wants to say you are being rude.


Comment [3]: Try to rewrite in otherway to make it more clear.


Comment [4]: Add more details abowhat they are doing in class.


Comment [5]: There are a lot ofdetails about what students are doinin class, which make it better tounderstand.


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3Alaa Bazuhayr


11 September 2013At 2:15 It is time for the class to get finished, Lynn is talking about the new restriction here in

U.S about the seat belts, that people in the back seat should have them on too, student are notlistening they are busy because they are packing their bags, Lynn is like Listen (in a loud voice)

there is somebody is talking here then she asked them to leave with a sad face.desktop support 9/12/13 10:18 AM

Comment [6]: Add more details abo

Lynn feeling in class.


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4Alaa Bazuhayr


11 September 2013Observation Two

Wednesday, September, 2013

Time: 2:30PM-2:50AM

Note: this observation took a place in front of College of Health and Human Services building.The actors on this observation are:

Kelly: the director of the ELTI, he is so SERIOUS about the rule at UNCC, and so upsets with

smoker studentsAziz: a student from ELTI and smoker, he does not like the director and he does not like to flowhis rules.

Yu: a student from ELTI, Azizs friend, he dose not like what Aziz reaction with the director, heis trying to change Aziz.

At 2:30 It is a break time from some of the ELTI students, Aziz is walking out side of the CHHS

building, lighting up his cigarette then smoking in an inappropriate place, and talking tosomebody in the phone, Yu is in his way to him, he is now waiting for him to end up his call.

At 2:40 Yu and Aziz are talking, Kelly is looking at them from his office window. while they are

talking, it seems that Kelly is coming to them, Kelly is telling Aziz that what he is doing is notappropriate and he is on charge if his boss know about it.

At 2:50 It seems that their is a rule at ELTI, If you caught smoking at smoke-free places their ispunishment, which is what Aziz is doing now, he is collecting other smokers cigarettes batts,and Yu is laughing so hard at him I told you,, I told you man


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5Alaa Bazuhayr


11 September 2013Observation three

Wednesday, September, 2013

Time: 4:00PM - 4:30AM

Note: this observation took a place at Prospector Faculty/Staff Dining Room that was reservedto the International Student/Scholar Office for the international students specifically for ELTI

student to practice English it is for student and staff to enjoy coffee and conversation at informal

gathering held twice monthly during the academic year.The actors on this observation are:

Maxine: Secretary of kelly and student special events organizer, she do what every Kelly asks

her because he is her boss.Students from ELTI: deferent countries and deferent ELTI levels.

At 4:00 Students are setting as groups on different tables, talking, playing games, eating, and

some students are walking around an around.

At: 4:15 one of the students meets one his friend that he used to study at ELTI and now he is astudent as UNCC, he is asking him about his courses and his major, it seems that he is not

satisfied with his classes, he is complaining all the time about everything because his Englishskills is not enough to attend school at this time.

4:30 Student are leaving, and Maxine is asking the students to collect anything belong to them,

because she is in charge if they leave the room messy.


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6Alaa Bazuhayr


11 September 2013For this assignment I interviewed two people one of them is the teacher of the ELTI and

the another one is one of the ElTI students.

ELTIs student interview:

1.What is your first Language?

My first Language is Arabic.2.Tell me why did you chose to study English language?I chose English because I want to study here in U.S.

3.Explain for me the reason why did you chose to study English here in United States?I chose U.S because one of my friend suggested me to study here and also as I said before that

my goal is to study pre-med here in U.S.

4.How well were your English skills before you arrived to United States, and how well arethey now?

I used to learn English back in my school for 6 years, my English was good but I felt like I want

to learn even more. Now my English is getting better but I am a shy person I would like toincrease my speaking skills but I do not know how.

5.What culture shocks did you face when you came to Unites States?Since I come from Libya, I feel it is safe here, because back there in my country there is a war,

no police, no government, people are killing each other, so I love how people are secure here.


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7Alaa Bazuhayr


11 September 2013ELTIs teacher interview:

1-As an ESL, what did you learn from different cultures that your students have?

I have learned so much about different cultures. I have learned a great deal about my students'customs, beliefs, and learning styles.

2-I heard that students from specific country or culture have the same weakness or

strengths in Englishs skills, can you tell me some of those weakness or strengths thatstudents have?

I don't like to generalize, but yes, it is fairly easy to identify strengths and weaknesses based on a

student's culture. For example, many Saudis have fairly high speaking skills. However, theirwriting tends to be much weaker. Many Asian students are outstanding in grammar, but their

speaking tends to be very weak.

3-What difficulties do you face as an ESL teacher?

The difficulties I face as an ESL teacher are varied depending on the class. Because differentcultures have particular strengths and weaknesses, it is sometimes difficult to balance these in a

large class. For instance, if the class is primarily Saudi, the speaking skills of these students areusually much higher than the Asian students. This can sometimes be frustrating for the Asian

students who feel out of place in a high-level class. As a result, I must differentiate appropriatelyso that both students progress at an equal rate.

4-How well do you think student is going to be literate in English after he/she graduate

from ELTI?ELTI's curriculum is very rigorous. Therefore, students must be willing devote a great deal oftime and energy to these classes. I think a student's success depends on many factors beyond

ELTI classes. One, the student must study and practice English both in and out of class. Thismeans that the student should be speaking in English at all times, not just in the confines of the

classroom. Next, students must attend classes regularly and participate. Finally, I think it isimperative that students immerse themselves in American culture. For example, students need to

leave the safety of their culture-based cliques and join campus clubs, go to events where they caninteract with Americans, and participate in activities with native speakers. ELTI provides a solid

foundation for language acquisition, but students really need to make a commitment to acquirethe language.

5-Tell me how do you find this experience as an ESL teacher?Being an ESL teacher is easily the most rewarding profession I've ever had. I never leave school

thinking that what I've done is "work." Instead, I usually leave filled with excitement to start the

next day. I can't believe I get paid to do something I love so much. I am blessed to workalongside some of the best educators I've ever met, and perhaps most importantly, teach suchcaring and compassionate students. I am truly the luckiest teacher on the planet! My students fill

my world with great joy.

Documents

EP assignment 1 .pdf