Requirements for ETAP 598 PRACTICUM (Field Experience)

ETAP 598 is a teaching practicum designed to give students practical field experience teaching English as a second/foreign language. Together, the students of 598 organize and teach classes to adults from the Capital Region Community who wish to improve their English skills. Evening ESL Clinic classes are held for six weeks, every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights from, 7:15 9:00 pm (for two 45-minute sessions and a 15-minute break each evening). Each ETAP student will teach at least five or six 45-minute sessions over the semester. Students are put in teams and work collaboratively with their teammates. In addition to teaching, it is expected that students will support and encourage each other and observe their classmates teaching. Teachers on each team need to communicate regularly and work together to make sure their ESL students needs are met. Because running the clinic is such a collaborative experience, each team member must strictly adhere to deadlines. Failure to meet deadlines will result in getting a U in the course. Course supervisor: Professor Istvan Kecskes Teaching assistants responsible for the course: Denis Samburskiy sunytesol@gmail.com Please contact Denis with your questions. ETAP 598 website : http://www.wix.com/dennissky/etap-598 Grading Policy: Your final course grade will be determined as follows All assignments and tasks completed and having met the evaluation criteria (see below) and class participation.

S:

U: Some assignments/tasks not completed OR all/some assignments/tasks not having met the
evaluation criteria. PAY ATTENTION TO DEADLINES. If you turn in too many things late, you will get a U. If that happens, you will need to take the course when it is offered again next year, as it is a requirement for your degree. All students taking ETAP 598 are responsible for the following: Clinic class program will run from October 11 through November 17 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Evaluation is based on:

1. Mandatory attendance 4 scheduled meetings and a placement procedure (7:15-9pm). September 6 - 1st Meeting with Dr. Kecskes September 20 - 2nd Meeting October 4 - Placement procedure October 18 3rd Meeting How Are We Doing? November 17 Farewell Party, 4th Final Meeting and Evaluations

Students may be excused from one of the meetings if it is due to an illness or clinic class teaching. 2. Team meetings. All students will be divided into 3 teams according to the level they will teach (beginning, intermediate or advanced). Each team will select a team leader (TL) who will hold a few meetings with the team to discuss problems and achievements of the team members. The team can have as many meetings as they want with the minimum of 2. At the end of the semester the team leader will write an evaluation of each team member and submit the evaluations to Denis. The team leader must observe the first lesson of each team member. 3. Class Observation Each student teacher (ST) is required to observe 4 lessons (90 minutes each) over 3 different weeks (e.g., 2 lessons in the first week, 2 lessons in the second week, etc). The first observation has to be done before the STs first teaching practice. The class you observe is taught by your team leader and has to be the level you are going to teach. It is recommended that 2 observations be done in different classes. Before the observation, remember to bring an observation form with you (you can get it in ED 115 or in the door bin of EDU 114). During the observation, you are required to write down what you see in the class and give comments (e.g., which activities/techniques worked well and which didnt, how the teacher interacted with students, whether the teachers instructions were clear, how much practice students had, how the teacher assessed students performance, etc.). Refer to the observation form for details. After the observation, you may discuss your observation form with the teacher you observed or (if the teacher is on your team) have a discussion about it during your team meeting. *IMPORTANT* Please leave your observation forms in the bin on the door of EDU 114 right after your class observation, so the teachers could read them or take them home. *FOR TEACHERS* For those who take the forms home, all observation forms must be returned to the door bin of EDU 114 on the next day after teaching. 4. Teaching Practice Each ST is required to teach 2-3 lessons (90 minutes) in his/her assigned class. In your teams you will make a list of themes for your lessons. Make sure to send an email with a short description of your last lesson and characteristics of students to the team member teaching after

you. Characteristics of students may include a few words about the level of each student, their readiness to talk and share, the number of students in your class and who is absent, etc. 5. Lesson Plans *IMPORTANT* All lesson plans are due a week before your teaching. Turn in your drafted lesson plans to Denis. He will review the plans and respond with his comments. You are required to develop a lesson plan based on a topic and/or a grammar point that is suggested by or agreed upon with your team leader. You can email your lesson plan to Denis and he will give you his comments and suggestions. You are not allowed to teach without turning in lesson plans and getting feedback in advance. Prepare all the materials and handouts you need to use in the class and send them to Denis as well. Before teaching, make enough copies of handouts for your students. Make sure to use visual aids to facilitate your teaching. Bringing realia to the class is always a good idea. You are responsible for dry-erase markers for your classes. Youre welcome and encouraged to use technology in your classroom. Make sure the equipment you want to use in class is ready in advance. Computer equipment: If the classroom you teach in is not equipped with a projector and computer, you can reserve a PowerPoint projector and computer cart. Contact Chris Ives at cives@uamail.albany.edu and ask that the equipment be delivered to your classroom. This must be reserved a few days in advance. *IMPORTANT* Each student is responsible for making sure the equipment he or she needs is ordered on time. Even though your lesson plans arent due until a week prior to your teaching, you may want to order a computer cart a few days earlier. Be in the classroom a few minutes earlier to get everything ready. Bring one set of dry erase markers and/or box of chalk Try to get to know your students as early as possible. Let your students talk as much as possible. Thank you!