The ESL Workshop and Forum Series

The ESL Workshop and Forum Series provides a safe place for multilingual students whose strongest language is not English to discuss writing and collaborate. There are four workshops in the series:

1: Captioning a Photo

Students discuss an image of an American barbershop and  collaborate on a  paragraph “caption” in response. Students approach writing as a process with emphasis on ESL concerns such as transitions, prepositions, and  vocabulary choices.

Cooper, M. (1994, Sept. 13). Louis McDowell gives neighborhood
     girl a haircut as her mother looks on. [Photograph] Retrieved
     from http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/paterson/
     index.html

2: In Your Own Words:

Students discuss a video on “English mania,” analyze excerpts from the video, and  collaborate on a  paraphrase and summary with  emphasis on ESL concerns such as interpreting meaning, using synonyms, avoiding plagiarism, and using APA citation style.

3: Proposing a Solution:

Students examine the American approach to an explicit thesis and logical organization while discussing the difference between emotional and rational claims. The workshop features a video on an illegal immigrant who had his savings confiscated.

4: Reading and Research Strategies:

Students discuss research topics and search terms, explore different types of sources, examine the bibliographic information needed for APA citations, and learn reading strategies such as skimming a complete text, speed reading, and close reading.

Although individuals who identify as ESL have diverse backgrounds: cultural, linguistic, and educational, the workshops provide a common ground, promoting a sense of community and empowerment.

For more information on ESL Tutoring and Outreach Services please contact Chrissine Rios, ESL Specialist at crios@kaplan.edu.