Orientation = Information Overload
Any orientation is helpful but often fast-paced, overwhelming, brief and difficult for the students to retain all the new information.
A solution: an extended orientation course
My colleague, Julie O'Sullivan, and I organize a 3-week intensive orientation course for all new ESL students. Each day we cover a new topic. Guest speakers from departments around campus visit our class and discusses the services that are offered. A few of the sessions are outside the classroom (museum, planetarium, computing).
Overview:
Required for all new ESL students
3-week intensive
Fall & Spring semesters
Monday-Friday, 1:40-2:50
1 credit
Time slot filled by TOEFL prep class after course is over
Level of Students:
Beginner-High Advanced
Purpose:
1. Provide an in-depth introduction to (a.) the college campus and (b.) life in the U.S.
2. Introduce students to leaders of departments around campus.
Topics*:
1. Immigration information
2. Student Activities (clubs, organizations)
3. Athletic & Wellness Center
4. Campus Police
5. Computing (my.newpaltz, blackboard)
6. Health information (nurse)
7. Residence Life (a male and a female representative both come and separate the class into two groups -- male & female -- to talk about gender-based issues).
8. Conversation Partners Program (pairing ELLs with American students)
9. About Town (all things about the local community -- shopping, places of worship, restaurants, entertainment, etc.)
10. Museum (guided tour of campus art museum
11. Campus Health and Safety (Oggie, the campus dog, and his owner, Mike)
12. Planetarium
13. Psychological Counseling Center
14. Plagiarism and University Policies in US (led by a professor in the School of Business)
15. Culture Shock (no guest speaker)
16. Public Transportation (and how to get a license)
17. Eating on Campus (how to find healthy options)
The last class is a review of everything.
New topics arise each semester.
*Some topics are combined into one class session.
Teacher's Role (varies):
Prepare schedule (This process is very time-consuming but well worth it! Start at least one month before the start of the semester.)
Instruct speaker on the needs of the students (ex: topics of discussion, language level adjustment)
Summarize main points on board during presentation
Ask questions during presentation
Encourage speaker to repeat, if necessary
Review main points after speaker is finished (Speakers usually don't use the entire class period.)
Assessment:
Short quizzes to cover the basic -- most important -- information.
Grades:
Attendance: 75%
Quizzes: 25%
Feedback:
*Students are highly engaged and enthusiastic in class.
*Students feel more comfortable and informed about the campus, community and life in the U.S.
*Attendance is fantastic.
Any orientation is helpful but often fast-paced, overwhelming, brief and difficult for the students to retain all the new information.
A solution: an extended orientation courseMy colleague, Julie O'Sullivan, and I organize a 3-week intensive orientation course for all new ESL students. Each day we cover a new topic. Guest speakers from departments around campus visit our class and discusses the services that are offered. A few of the sessions are outside the classroom (museum, planetarium, computing).
Overview:
Required for all new ESL students
3-week intensive
Fall & Spring semesters
Monday-Friday, 1:40-2:50
1 credit
Time slot filled by TOEFL prep class after course is over
Level of Students:
Beginner-High Advanced
Purpose:
1. Provide an in-depth introduction to (a.) the college campus and (b.) life in the U.S.
2. Introduce students to leaders of departments around campus.
Topics*:
1. Immigration information
2. Student Activities (clubs, organizations)
3. Athletic & Wellness Center
4. Campus Police
5. Computing (my.newpaltz, blackboard)
6. Health information (nurse)
7. Residence Life (a male and a female representative both come and separate the class into two groups -- male & female -- to talk about gender-based issues).8. Conversation Partners Program (pairing ELLs with American students)
9. About Town (all things about the local community -- shopping, places of worship, restaurants, entertainment, etc.)
10. Museum (guided tour of campus art museum
11. Campus Health and Safety (Oggie, the campus dog, and his owner, Mike)
12. Planetarium
13. Psychological Counseling Center
14. Plagiarism and University Policies in US (led by a professor in the School of Business)15. Culture Shock (no guest speaker)
16. Public Transportation (and how to get a license)
17. Eating on Campus (how to find healthy options)
The last class is a review of everything.
New topics arise each semester.
*Some topics are combined into one class session.
Teacher's Role (varies):
Prepare schedule (This process is very time-consuming but well worth it! Start at least one month before the start of the semester.)
Instruct speaker on the needs of the students (ex: topics of discussion, language level adjustment)
Summarize main points on board during presentation
Ask questions during presentation
Encourage speaker to repeat, if necessary
Review main points after speaker is finished (Speakers usually don't use the entire class period.)
Assessment:
Short quizzes to cover the basic -- most important -- information.
Grades:
Attendance: 75%
Quizzes: 25%
Feedback:
*Students are highly engaged and enthusiastic in class.
*Students feel more comfortable and informed about the campus, community and life in the U.S.
*Attendance is fantastic.
