ESL center

this is my second semester working in the ESL center. This semester, however, I have a much different point of view of things due to the topics with are covering in class. In regards to LPP, I think that I see some strong examples, and some not so great examples. For this post, I will use the guidelines given to us by Kim:

Try using LPP to think through your internship space: what is the relationship between the participants? What is the space like? What materials and resources are used? How do the relationships, materials, and space shape the learning environment? What does the mentoring look like in the internship?

 

To be honest, there is not much of a relationship between the participants whatsoever. Students come in voluntarily, and for the most part they come in alone. When they come in, they immediately start meeting with a tutor. There is no interaction between them and other students coming in for help.

The space of the ESL center is quite nice. There are plenty of tables and couches throughout the space. There is also a computer and printer available for students to use when they need. Each table has notepads, paper, pens, and highlighters for tutoring sessions. There are also many resourceful posters and handouts regarding certain writing structures and other features of essays.

In my opinion, the combination of the space and resources work together well to create a positive learning environment. However, I have heard that the space is a bit intimidating to those who come in. I guess some people have a hard time figuring out what to do and therefore feel intimidated and unsure. Other than this, the space is welcoming and allows for students get help from their peers. The style of this center is much less formal than a typical classroom and the fact that students are tutoring other students takes away the formality factor.

In this internship, the mentoring looks like one on one sessions between tutor and student. Student bring in various assignments such as essays and presentations. Sometime students just want to come in and practice their English conversation skills.

overall, I am much more aware of my surroundings and what is going on in the center. I try to look at things from a more critical and constructive point of view now.

I’m excited to learn more and see how it applies to this internship in the future.