events, shindigs, and leisure: the other esl for iep students

8/8/2019 Events, Shindigs, And Leisure: The Other ESL for IEP Students

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Laura E. Ray, Old Dominion University English Language CenterVATESOL Conference

October 2, 2010Rekindling Our Joy of Language Teaching

Intensive English Program Panel


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Introduction Coordinating successful social events and activities for

IEP students

Case Study: Old Dominion University English LanguageCenter

Norfolk Botanical Garden Spring II 2010


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ODU ELC Events - Overview ~100-150 students in ODU ELC IEP each session

Six 7-week sessions per year

Traditionally, 2 events per sessiony Mid-session Event (usually, Week 4)

y Farewell Event (usually, last day of Week 7)

No set budget for particular events

On campus events must be provided by University caterer [began FY2010]

ELC does not own van or bus for trips transportation must berented

Students do not pay activity fee as part of tuition


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The Problem

Negative feedback about events on ProgramEvaluations

[When asked, Please comment on the social activitiesavailable to you through the ELC.]y

Not enough; need more.y The social activities are poor, not exciting, not well

organized.y They are great, but the time is not suitable because some

activities are at the same time when I go to the IslamicCenter.

y

Students are disappointed.y We need Conversation Partners in [the] summersession.

y There are no activities with native speakers.y Please make more trips.y Bad.


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Considerations for Event Planning

Date/time?y Should we miss classes? What about

evenings, weekends? Should we schedule around FridayPrayers?

Location?y

On or off campus? Budget?

y Food? If on ODU campus, we must use Aramark Catering

Services If off ODU campus, we can purchase our own food

y Transportation Needed? Rent vans? Carpool?

y Cost to Student? Do we pay or do students pay their own way?

Advertising? How frequently should we hold events?


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Discussion

Approximately how many students are in your IEPprogram?

Who plans the events? (Are students involved? Ifso, in what capacity?)

How many events and/or special activities does yourprogram hold each session or semester? (Or, howoften are they held?)

What kinds of events and activities do you have?

What are some of the challenges your program hasexperienced with event or activity planning?


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Approach Phase 1 SummerII 2009

ConductedStudent Event

Surveyy 23 Respondents

y Surveyed atFarewell Event

Ocean View Fishing Pier Norfolk, VA Summer II 2010


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0

2

4

68

10

12

1416

Which activities are interesting to you?

Results


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0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

1 to 3 4 to 6 7 to 10

H

ow many events should wehave each session?

02

4

6

8

10

12

14

$0 $1-5 $6-10 $11-15 $16-20 $20+

How much would you be willingto pay to attend an event?

0

5

10

15

20

25

yes no no response

Would you be willing to helpplan an event?

Results (contd)


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Approach Phase 2

SpringI 2010

Student EventsCommitteey Rationale: If

students are able tochoose and/or helpplan events, theywill be more likely toattend and will be

more satisfied withevents andactivities.

y Started well, thenquickly fizzled out


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Approach Phase 3 - SpringII 2010

Revived the Student Event Calendar

Multiple ELC-planned events (in addition to regularMid-Session and Farewell Events); students werean integral part of making those events asuccess.y ex) Habitat for Humanity Buildy ex) ODU International Festivaly ex) Marhaba: A Taste of the Arabian Peninsula

These events involved collaboration with otherODU departmentsy Center for Service & Civic Engagementy Office of Intercultural Relations


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SpringII 2010 Events


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Approach Phase 4 - SummerI Session

Increase engagement with Americansand/or learn about American culturethrough events

New Initiatives:

y Social Issues Film Series

y Coffee and Conversation

y Clean the Bay Dayy Monarch Mentors


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Approach Phase 5 SummerI 2010

Conducted another Student EventSurvey

Given to all students in reading classes

y

78 Respondents

1stAnnual ELC Kickball Game Summer II 2010

(Farewell Event)

Lamberts Point Driving Range Fall I 2010

(Mid-Session Event)


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05

10

15202530

354045

50

Student EventsCommittee

ODUBasketball

Game

Wii Olympics ELC StudentLibrary

Opening

N/A

Spring I 2010 Event Attendance

05

10152025303540

Spring II 2010 Event Attendance


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0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40Summer I 2010 Event Attendance

In the Summer II 2010 Session, we had two major events:Fishing Trip, Beach Trip

The fishing trip was very successful and was a great way to highlight local culture

and get outside!


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0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Bad event time No foodprovided

Event not fun orinteresting

None of myfriends went

If no class, notcoming tocampus

Studied/didhomework

instead

Too tired to goto events

Other

Why didn't you attend events?


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48

34

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Yes No

Members of ELC FacebookGroup

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Yes No

Have a Twitter account?

01020304050

6070

How do you hear about ELCevents?


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0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Which events would you attend if offered?


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0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

one to three four to six seven to ten

How many events should theELC have each session?

0

5

10

15

20

25

$0 $1-$5 $6-$10 $11-$15 $20+

How much would you be willingto pay to attend an event?

0

10

20

30

40

50

6070

yes no

Would you be willing tohelp plan an ELC event?


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0

20

40

60

80

Agree Disagree

Social activities areimportant.

0

10

20

30

40

50

Agree Disagree

It's okay to miss class onceor twice per session for

events.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Agree Disagree

I would attend ELC events onevenings or weekends.

0

20

40

60

80

Agree Disagree

I don't need the ELC toorganize events. I just have fun

with my friends on my owntime.


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Conclusions ODU ELC has gradually seen fewer negative comments and

more positive comments on Program Evaluations over the pastyeary Spring II 2010 was the session with the highest expressed level of

student satisfaction with regard to events

Students want IEPs to plan events/activities - we shouldntalways leave it up to the students to find ways to have fun bythemselves

Collaborate with other departments to leverage resources (thisalso increases on-campus exposure for your IEP)

Take advantage of local culture and attractions in your area

Students would like to see 4-6 activities per 7-week session

Dont be afraid to charge students between $6-$10 for an event(if its an interesting/fun event they are okay with that!)


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Whats Next?

May revive the Student EventsCommittee, but perhaps in another form

Conduct another survey ask more open-ended questions; ask if they havetransportation

Events/activities at the ODU ELC still needmore refining, but we are getting better


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Questions? Comments?

Please contact me at [email protected] ifyou would like a sample Student EventsSurvey and/or a copy of this

presentation.

Thank you!

events, shindigs, and leisure: the other esl for iep students

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