Abstract
In Winter semester of 2005 the English Language Center (ELC) began plans to implement a content-based program for students at its highest proficiency level in order to provide them with more effective preparation for academic studies in English. Since that time, the program has undergone various changes to provide a more stable, cohesive, and responsive curriculum. There is a need, however, for greater teacher support and training. This paper outlines the process I underwent to create a handbook that would provide needed guidance and training for teachers in this program. This project involved an in-depth needs analysis of teachers and students in the program. Results from this analysis led to the selection of three basic principles that were used in the design and development of this project: (1) practicality, (2) instructiveness, and (3) sustainability. The resulting project is a binder organized into four tabs: (1) Program Overview, (2) The Basics of Content-based Instruction at the ELC, (3) Challenges and Strategies in CBI, and (4) Additional Resources. This resource was developed using Microsoft Word 2007 and includes a variety of graphics, text boxes and layouts to provide a professional and user-friendly product. An evaluation of the project based on the responses of three teachers who used the handbook during Winter semester 2009 revealed that it was a useful and needed resource for teaching content-based classes at the ELC. Further piloting is needed to verify these findings. It is recommended that in the future this resource be maintained by the ELC Coordinator assigned to oversee the content courses. As the ELC continues to refine the content curriculum, evaluation and revisions of this handbook should be carried out at regular intervals to ensure its continued relevance and accuracy over time.
Degree
MA
College and Department
Humanities; Linguistics and English Language
Rights
http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Hardman, Melinda Clement, "Developing A Teachers' Handbook for Content-based Instruction at Brigham Young University's English Language Center" (2009). Theses and Dissertations. 1711.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/1711
Date Submitted
2009-04-22
Document Type
Selected Project
Handle
http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etd2907
Keywords
CBI, content-based instruction, ELC, English Language Center, TESOL, teacher training, handbook, project, materials development, language teaching, curriculum development, sheltered instruction, adjunct, theme-based instruction, sustained content language teaching
Language
English