Practical and theoretical questions involved in organizing language study around these themes are addressed. The presentation focuses on a unique curriculum model in the Canadian context, an ESL career education program designed to meet the needs of immigrant adolescents, coupling instruction in ESL with work experience. The program's impact on students and its place in the wider school context is also addressed. Pedagogical implications regarding collaborative team-teaching and professional development activities are discussed. Participants become informed about the current status of the legislation and learn advocacy strategies.
Opportunities follow for reaction, discussion, and recommendations.
The presenters have critically analyzed the content and rhetorical strategies of textbooks to determine their cultural appropriateness for ESL and EFL contexts. The presenter reviews current language policy initiatives in the U.S. Congress. He then analyzes legislation in terms of content, supporters and opponents, and connections with larger policy issues, and discusses the impact on ESOL professionals. Audience discussion and debate is encouraged. They elaborate on themes for a critical curriculum used within a university setting by demonstrating a series of student-centered language tasks.