Teaching Listening and Speaking

through

Meaningful Interview Projects

Catesol San Diego Chapter and SDCCD Continuing Education April 13, 2013
Pat Bennett Grossmont College pat.bennett@gcccd.edu 619.203.8398 Interculturalclarity.com

Introduction
What? Multi-step interview process. Why? Practice multiple skills with a desire to communicate authentically. How? Practiced management and organization. How Else? Other applications, topics, levels, interviewees

Culture Learning Interviews

The Students
High Intermediate Community College Listening and Speaking Class Immigrants and Internationals

Mixed Nationalities

Culture Learning Interviews

The Process
1. Activate Schema
Discussion of Culture Shock Reading, video, vocabulary Likes and dislikes in the U.S What do you want to undersand?

Culture Learning Interviews

The Process
2. Identify Interview Topics and Questions
Students submit 3 topics Teacher chooses topics Students submit 7-8 interview questions Teacher must approve questions before interviews

Culture Learning Interviews

The Process
Commonly Chosen Topics:
Family life Sex, drugs, Rock n Roll Social Issues
Guns, crime, safety Gay marriage Health care

Social Fluency
Tipping Gifts Roles

Culture Learning Interviews

The Process
3. Identify Interviewees
Students can choose: variety, safety Teacher can assign Student contacts and makes appointment
Email Phone

Clear deadlines and timeline

Culture Learning Interviews

The Process
4. While interviews are being scheduled, teach to needs:
Finding and approaching interviewees
Making appointments Language clarification skills Interview Process Content related to interviews

Culture Learning Interviews

The Process
5. During Interviews
Students give updates and bring questions to class Give direction to organizing content into speech interview Plan speech schedule (pace)

Students practice for homework using rubric

Timing Grammar Organization Delivery

Culture Learning Interviews

The Process
6. Speech Giving
Teacher times and grades Students take notes Questions and discussion follow Open-note test/quiz

Culture Learning Interviews

The Process
7. Grading
Rubric for speaking (students can create) Interview forms Written speech Test questions

Culture Learning Interviews

AdvantagesLanguage Learning
Relevant, individualized content Information gap

Application of learning and speaking skills

Clarification Pronunciation Grammar Culture

Writing, speech, note-taking

Culture Learning Interviews

AdvantagesInstitutional
Expose colleagues to ESL studentsbreak boundaries Raise awareness of Americans 1st culture and language Gain support for ESL program and students

Culture Learning Interviews

Challenges (or more advantages!)
Time consuming for teacher Long-term project

Challenging for students

Independent work Critical thinking Multiple skills needed