Letter from ESL Globe Editor-in-Chief Toby Brody

With this issue of the ESL Globe we begin a four-part series of issues focusing on each of the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Since teaching writing seems to present a challenge to many teachers, that is our starting point. Our new Tips for the ESL Classroom page is devoted exclusively to articles on writing, and the Globe Bookshelf section lists several publications suggesting ways to enhance and improve student writing.


What Strategies or Instructional Approaches are Particularly Effective for Second Language Writers?
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Paul Kei Matsuda, Associate Professor of English at Arizona State University, answers this and other questions in his interview with the ESL Globe. Dr. Matsuda is founding chair of the Symposium on Second Language Writing and the CCCC Committee on Second Language Writing, and has served as the Chair of the Nonnative English Speakers in TESOL Caucus. He has edited numerous books and special journal issues on second language writing. He is also the series editor of Parlor Press Series on Second Language Writing.

Dr. Matsuda suggests that the biggest challenge for students might be to understand one's own strengths and weaknesses as a writer.
Read interview


Systemic Functional Linguistics: A fresh approach to help students learn the academic English needed to do grade-level work in all content areas

Mary J. Schleppegrell, Professor in the School of Education at the University of Michigan, has done extensive research and writing on systemic functional linguistics (SFL), a meaning-based theory of language which offers a framework for identifying the language features relevant to different contexts and subject areas. Teachers can become aware of the particular language challenges of their subjects and help students learn to use English in the ways needed to succeed in that subject.

Dr. Schellepegrell states in her interview that "Students of teachers who use this approach are achieving better results on standardized tests. In addition, teachers are enjoying the new kinds of conversations they are having with their students about language and content."
Read interview


NC's Alarming High School Dropout Rate: Does the Fresh Start Program in Chicago Offer a Solution to the State's Woes?
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Dionnes Rivera, currently an ELL Consultant and Assistant Professor and Chair of the ESL/BL Program at Aurora University, was Director of ELL Programs in the second largest district of Illinois outside the city of Chicago. During her tenure she redesigned and expanded the district's Fresh Start program aimed at reducing the dropout rate of Latino students. The success of this program has been impressive. The students who were involved were the most egregious offenders with respect to truancy, low academic achievement, bad behavior, and indifference, and almost all ended up graduating from high school. In her interview Dr. Rivera discusses the structure and implementation of the Fresh Start program and the impact it has had on students and their families.
Read interview


Newcomers School Principal Receives Statewide Award
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Principal Jake Henry from the Guilford County Schools Newcomers School, a school designed to meet the needs of the growing LEP student population in the district, has received the "Principal of the Year" award from the Visiting International Faculty (VIF) Program. The Newcomers School serves about 300 students in fifth through 12th grades during their first year in Guilford County. Henry strives to create a welcoming and secure environment for the English language learners and the nine VIF teachers at his school. “This is an honor for our entire school,” said Henry. “I am proud to serve with such a dedicated and caring staff who daily go above and beyond to meet the needs of our students. Our staff and students truly are special.”
Read article


Editor's Note: See our interview with Mayra Hayes, who proposed and was instrumental in establishing what was then called the Newcomer Center, in the Spring 2007 issue of the ESL Globe.


Coming Up: the NCSU ESL Symposium
Thursday, June 12, and Friday, June 13, 2008