By Anne Ricketts and Susannah Schoff
Workshop Goals

Share what we know about our international students

Discuss challenges we all face with international students
in our classes

Share strategies for meeting students’ and teachers’ needs
to encourage more engaging, interactive, and successful
lessons
1. Act/react in the “first day of class” simulation the way
you think a student would.
2. Be ready to discuss your reactions and challenges after
the simulation.
Psychology of
Prismatology and
Reflective Logistics
FND 807
Detailmatography
Logistics
High Society
Cecily Brown
First Day of Class:
Prepared Participation
and Group Discussion
1. How did you feel during the
simulation?
2. What was challenging for you?
Why?
Understanding our
International Population
22% total student population
32% online student population
21% Chinese
19% Korean
17% Taiwanese
5% Thai
4% Indonesian
1% Saudi (39 total)
Understanding the Cultural
Backgrounds…
Growing middle class in Asia
•Many only-children from China
•First experience living away from parental control/abroad
•Tend to stick with students from same country
•More Saudi Arabian students coming (Higher oral/lower
writing)
• Limited experience using English in social and academic
settings
•Some embarrassed to be labeled ‘ESL’
•
Different Expectations…
International Students’ home countries vs. Academy
of Art
Memorization and teacher-focused classes vs.
critical thinking and active student participation
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Stricter classroom hierarchy vs. informal setting
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Using other’s ideas=respect for others’ opinions vs.
Plagiarism = F
Snapshot of our ESL
Program
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EAP = English for Art Purposes
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EAP 1 = Advanced beginner
EAP 2 = Low Intermediate
EAP 3 = Intermediate
EAP 4 = High Intermediate (most advanced)
LA 103= Fundamentals of English Writing
LA 106=Speaking & Listening for Artists
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*Grad level= 601, 602, 603, & 604
The Flip Side:
Challenges you face
In groups of 3-4, make a list of challenges you’ve
experienced (or predict you may experience in
the fall) with your international students in the
classroom.
For example:
1. Lack of Participation
2.
3.
Our Bag of
ESL Tricks
For the first day and beyond
Challenge #1:
Students don’t understand
important information
and directions
Solutions for Understanding Information
and Directions:
1.
Repetition is your friend!
2.
Make key words and directions VISUAL: write them on the
board or on handouts
3.
Ask Effective Comprehension Questions
a. Ask during class and at the end
b. Yes/No vs. WhE.g. “Do you understand the homework? Vs.
“ What will you do for homework?”
c. Wait 5+ seconds for responses.
Challenge #2:
Students don’t
participate in class or
small group discussions
Solutions for More
Participation:
1.
Prepared Participation
Written or in pairs/small groups before whole class
discussions.
2.
Ask effective questions and
never say “Good!” when no one has any.
Solutions for More
Participation Cont.
3.
Grouping:
a. Mix domestic with foreign students
b. Count off by numbers
c. Create half circle vs. rows
4.
Create firm expectations for participation starting
first day
E.g. Everyone must ask 1 question or share one
idea each class
Challenge #3:
You and your students
aren’t using the ESL
Support Teacher
Solutions for Using the
Support Teacher:
1. Communicate with your support teachers.
2. Allow ESL support to write vocabulary words on
the board while you talk- reduces time lapse,
ensures better understanding.
3. Give time during and at end of class for ESL teacher
to clarify/circulate.
4. Strongly encourage study group.
Challenge #4:
Students don’t critique
effectively
Solutions for Effective Critiques:
1.
2.
Model ‘The Critique Sandwich’
a.
Positive feedback
b.
Negative or suggestions
c.
Finish with positive
Teach/Review useful language and criteria: Students need to
know more than just “I like it.”
E.g. “The layout is successful because…”
“The color scheme is not effective because…”
What will you do to maximize your
ESL students success on the first
day of class?
Prepared Participation:
Talk about one activity you plan to do on the first day of class
1. Brainstorm possible challenges
2. Brainstorm possible solutions
Experiment with these strategies…
Start on the first day….and remember “Repetition is your
friend!”
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Expect some successes and some difficulties as you adjust
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Please contact us with any questions/comments
Smschoff@gmail.com
aricketts@academyart.edu
Thank You
Any questions?