In Their Own Words
How Simply Asking Adult English as a Second Language Students How They Preferred to Learn How to Speak and Write in English Changed My College Composition Classes Forever!
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About the Book
In today's American college classrooms, more and more international students are enrolling at a rapid pace. This happened in my classroom sevearl years ago. I had taught for over twenty years at the time, but I did not know how to approach these students who possessed varying levels of English proficiency. My traditional methods did not work, and all I could do was speak louder-as if an increased volume would increase their learning.
Because I considered teaching a vocation, I did not want to give up. Instead, I enrolled in a doctoral program in Adult Education and chose Teaching English as a Second Language as my Cognate.
In one of my doctoral classes, I had to do a research project. I decided to conduct interviews with my new students and simply ask them how they prefrred to learn how to speak and write in english. The results fascinated me!
Based on what they told me and what I found in the literature, I totally revamped my composition classes. Gone were the days of lecture! Instead, with student input, I created a film based approach to teaching writing that seemed to emancipate my students, and they became proficient writers of English! Along the way, I was emancipated, too, and I knew that my classes would never be the same.
This book is a result of my experience,and I hope it can be used as a jumping off point for positive change for any college composition teacher who truly cares if their students learn!
About the Author
Dr. William Hayes has taught composition and literature for the past twenty-six yaers at DeVry University in Addison, Illinois in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He earned his Doctorate in Adult Education with a Cognate in English as a Second Language in 2000. Prior to that, he earned an M.A in English from Governors State University, an M.S. in Education from Illinois State University, and B.A in English from Southern Illinois University. He is the author of three other books entitled Hearsay: Watercolor Memories of Roxie Mallone (2007); Rebels With a Cause (2006); and A Sentimental Journey (2004). When he is not busy with his teaching duties, William, better known as Bill to his friends and family, enjoys writing and competing in Triathalons. He resides in the Chicagoland area with his wife, Janine. He has two grown children, Emily and Grant, and three lovable dogs : Sammie, Charlie, and Henry!