WestCAST 2009, EAL, and Computer Science

"...One of these things is not like the other, one of these things doesn't belong..."

So you might ask yourself what WestCAST (Western Canadian Association for Student Teaching), EAL (English as an Additional Language) and Computer Science have in common. For myself, it's what I've been doing a lot of work on the past two weeks as I prepare a WestCAST proposal for the upcoming WestCAST 2009 conference in Victoria, BC -- as well as putting together a presentation for Teaching Computer Science in the Senior Years.

The 2-cent version of my presentation is this: What benefits can be made to SLA (Second Language Acquisition) by including technology (i.e. computers, the Internet) in an EAL classroom? How can teacher's plan effective lessons that involve technology for EAL classrooms? What are the strengths and limitations of using this approach to teaching EAL students?

My own presentation is only a small portion of my groups WestCAST proposal -- where we hope to outline a more holistic approach to EAL instruction that involves educating the whole child through technology and the arts. The deadline for our proposal is October 14th, but we feel confident in our research thus far that we'll be accepted. Here's to good luck!

Anyways, the reason I have an invested interest in EAL education is through my involvement with the CTESL (Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Langauge) program at the University of Manitoba. During my first year in the Faculty of Education I enrolled in the introductory EAL course as my elective -- and I loved it. Over this past summer I've taken a few more courses on EAL Grammar Instruction and EAL Content-based Instruction. I have one more course to go (and my 10-hour practicum), then I'll be eligible to teach (and get PAID!) EAL to adults and children.

Right now I'm volunteering at the International Center in downtown Winnipeg, where I teach EAL to immigrant and refugee adults on the weekends. It's a great experience, and I think I'm learning more doing this than in a lot of courses I've taken in the faculty. Nothing beats real-life experience. I hope my enthusiasm for EAL teaching shows in my presentation and proposal.

...In other news, my 5-year-old laptop died this weekend. Not the best thing to have happen when your enrolled in a Teaching Computer Science class. Looks like I'll need to get out the cheque book (or loan... book).