How to Speak ESL

Training New IEP Staff to Communicate Effectively with Students

Marla YoshidaUC Irvine Extension International ProgramsCATESOL State ConferenceOctober 2014

The problemNew staff members need to communicate clearly with students, but they may not know how.

?How can we jump-start the process of learning to speak ESL?

The goalTrain staff to be understandableDevelop their awareness of how they speakHelp staff learn and practice how to simplify and clarify their message

What we did: Needs analysis and planningRecorded presentations by staffNoted typical strengths, weaknesses, and breakdowns in the messageWhat skills and traits make communication by experienced staff and teachers more effective?Planned workshops to practice those skillsChanges in our workshop over timeWe added video examples: good and badWe adapted examples and practice to fit the needs of each groupHow to Speak ESL

Communicating Clearly with ESL Students(For Activities Staff)PurposeTo help you communicate more clearly with ESL studentsTo prevent frustration (yours and theirs)Making communication easierMost of our students dont speak English very well. Thats why theyre here.Even higher-level students may not have strong listening skills or be familiar with casual spoken English.Its up to you to package your message so that students can understand.

Advice from students

VocabularyUse easy words. (We can do that vs We can accommodate your request.)Be careful of multiple meanings. (match, ticket, policy)Explain or rephrase unfamiliar words.If you can, write key vocabulary.Idioms and slangAvoid idioms, slang, or very casual expressions.Its a piece of cake!Its up to you.We got the green light.Two-word verbs are hard to understand.get up, fill out, turn in______ application Are these words and______ double room expressions easy or ______ provide hard to understand?______ contact us______ deadline______ last day______ There are two spots left.______ Well drop you off at the entrance.______ The Disneyland trip is sold out.Grammatical structuresSimplify the grammatical structures you useUse complete sentences, but avoid overly advanced or complex grammar.Which is easier to understand?

______ Now look at page 2.______ Now, what I want you to do next is I want you to turn over the paper and look at the back side.Which is easier to understand?

______ The parking office is on the second floor of the police station.______ Youre going to want to go over to the police station, then go upstairs (you can take the stairs or the elevator) and thats where the parking office is.Effective deliveryUse your voice consciously and effectively. Slow down.Speak more clearly than usual.Talk loudly enough to be heard.Use pauses and variations in speed and intonation to make important points stand out.

PronunciationMost ESL students are not used to real American pronunciation.Use more careful and distinct pronunciation, even if it feels strange.Avoid extremely contracted forms:Whatcha doin? vs.What are you doing?Body languageSmile!Use strong eye contact.Use positive body language.Use gestures, facial expressions, and actions to support students understanding.Look at students when youre talking to them.Using a whiteboard or PowerPointLook at your listeners. Dont talk to the board or screen.Write first, then turn to your listeners to talk.Think like a teacher.Youre now in a position of authority. You have to keep the group safe and keep the activity on time.Get attention before you start to talk.Give information simply and clearly.Think like a teacher.Do you have any questions? Long wait time. Count to 10.Ask students questions to check their understanding.People dont always remember what you just told them. Be patient. Repeat many times.Think like a teacher.Dont be afraid to ask for clarification.Dont show impatience or frustration.Ask the student to say it again. Rephrase what you think the student is saying and ask if thats what he/she meant.Practice: Tell us aboutThe ESL Office front deskThe Student CenterThe UCI BookstoreThe cashiers window-----------------------------------------------------The publishers exhibits at CATESOLResults and plans for the futureTrainees reported better understanding of how to talk to students. With continued practice they were able to communicate more effectively.Increased interest in this training from other departments.ConclusionWays of communication wont change completely overnight, but by raising staff members awareness and giving them specific goals and models, we can set them on the path to more effective communication with ESL students.sample, track 021342.06