celta assignment 1 focus on the learner_2012.doc

International House Madrid CELTA

Focus on the Learner

InstructionsFor this assignment you are going to complete the attached grid in order to write a profile of a learner in the class you are teaching. Look first at the attached grid. For the general information you should one student, with information about the student’s motivation and learning styles. The following is a breakdown of what to do in order to obtain the information you need:

Section of attached grid How to get the information

Introductory information Interview a student (see following grid to devise questions)

Learning background interview

Motivation interview

observe the student in class

Learning styles and preferences interview

observe the student in class

refer to reference books

Specific problem areas observe the student in class

look at pieces of the learner’s written work

Solutions to problem areas refer to reference books and course books

think up your own ideas

Conclusion all the above

By _______________ you need to hand in the following:

the completed grid a photocopy of at least one piece of published material that you would use with the student to help

address problem areas identified.

Successful candidates can show evidence of:

awareness of how learners’ backgrounds, previous learning experience and learning styles affect learning

identifying the learners’ language / skills needs correct use of terminology relating to the description of language systems and language skills selecting appropriate material and / or resources to aid the learners’ language development providing a rationale for using specific activities with learners. finding, selecting and referencing information from one or more sources using written language that is

clear, accurate and appropriate to the task.

750 - 1000 words (maxim

International House Madrid Teacher TrainingAdapted from original design by IH Seville

1


Focus on the Learner Trainee:

General Information. Student’s name: Refer to one student throughout.

Learner’s English level: A2 (pre-intermediate) or B2 (upper-intermediate)

Age range: 18-25 25-35 35-45 45-55 55-65

Educational Background:

Profession:

Learning Background: Comment on the student’s learning background with regards to English and other languages.

2


Motivation: Comment on the learner’s reasons for learning English and their degree of motivation.

Learning styles and preferences: Comment on what you perceive to be the dominant learning style and learning preferences of the student.

3


For this part of the assignment you should focus on specific members of the group. Please give their names.

Specific problems and suggested solutions:

Identify specific problems for your case study student. This problem could also be common to most of the group. Problem 1 should be language-related e.g. grammar, vocabulary. Problem 2 should be pronunciation-related e.g. intonation, sound, stress. You must include examples of both the problem and the solution e.g. the student’s errors. One of the solutions can be your own idea but include at least 1 piece of photocopied, published material and a copy of your own made-up ideas.

Specific problem 1 (language-related) Suggested solution to problem 1

4


Specific problem 2 (pronunciation related) Suggested solution to problem 2

5


Skills Strengths and weaknesses:

For the following skills areas, identify your student’s strengths and weaknesses. Justify your evaluation by

saying why. Look at the example to help you.

Student Example of strength or weakness

Example:ListeningMarta - Strength

Marta has spent several months in the UK and one year in the States. She has significantly fewer problems than other students in understanding our different accents. She is usually the first to comprehend instructions. In two difficult listenings from the course book, she was the only student to answer all detailed questions.

Speaking

Writing

Listening

Reading

6


Conclusion: a) How successful do you think your group of students as a whole will be as language learners? b) What advice can you give to other trainees who might teach this class?

7


Written Assignment 1 Frequently Asked Questions

Q What is the word count on Written Assignment 1?

A 750 – 1000 words.

Q Does that include samples of the student’s writing and the photocopied material?

A No. The 750-1000 words are your text.

Q Does the written assignment need to be typed?

A No, it can be handwritten. It’s your choice.

Q What if I run out of space in the boxes?

A Attach an additional sheet and write ‘see sheet attached’ for the areas where you need more space.

Q How many members of the group should I interview?

A You only have to comment on one, so interviewing one will be fine. You only need to refer to the group as a whole in the conclusion.

Q Should I cite the student’s name?

A Yes.

Q In the solutions and problems section, do I need to use the same student?

A Yes. You should focus on the student you have chosen for your case study.

Q Do I need to provide a solution for each of the problems?

A Yes.

Q Do I need to provide a piece of published material for each problem?

A If you wish, but you need to have a minimum of one.

Q Is a piece of photocopied material enough as a solution to the problem?

A No. You need to a brief description of how you and/or the student would use it.

Q Can the suggested activity be an exercise from a student's self-study grammar book?

A Yes. We want you to suggest one solution for each problem. This can be an activity, a short exercise, a task, anything you think is appropriate for the problem area. But as above, say how you would set it up.

Q Does the activity have to be something the student does at home on their own?

A No. You can decide whether you would ask the student to do the activity for homework, or incorporate it into a lesson. That's up to you, but please specify.

8

celta assignment 1 focus on the learner_2012.doc

Documents