What are some of the tools and methods that you use to design and deliver your ESL curriculum?

First of all, we need to have a clear understanding of what the purpose is and set out the curriculum. We should adjust it to the appropriate learners’ levels, interests and needs. This must be the driven approach. Once we set the intended outcome, we select the teaching methods, contents and activities. We would like to make the learning process enjoyable and dynamic with engaging tools. For example, educational games, interactive exercises, podcasts, language apps, virtual reality, videos, etc. Nowadays we can count on several resources.

A needs analysis is only a starting point. Once learners begin the course, you will discover so much information that did not emerge in the NA. This means that the NA needs to be revisited, reviewed, and revised on a regular basis. With adult learners in particular, the NA should be negotiated. Learners may think they want X at the beginning of the course and realise that Y is what they really need. In short, a needs analysis is always a work in progress and never the finished article.

Ever think of your curriculum as a cup of coffee? A needs analysis is choosing the right beans. Skip it, and you'll find something that's lacking that preferred flavor. Start strong. Choose the beans, tailor the brew, adjust, and serve a course that keeps everyone awake and engaged. Before I design my curriculum, here's a few things that I do. 1. Start with a generic, level-appropriate, curriculum. 2. Online survey to approximate student level. 3. The survey questions allow me to tailor the interview questions and build from there. 4. Interview and observe. 5. Test (school-aged students only) 6. Build a portfolio and tailor the curriculum from here. 7. 10 classes in, adjust curriculum where necessary.

I trac kids when they are first presented to the English as their second language. Since they are kids, the first objective is to see how well they are "socialised", meaning how well can they use social, communication and motor skills. Then, English is used as a tool to develop the aforementioned skills further so that they can use them to start following the instructions and functioning in a group. Only then, the language syllabus comes forth.

Start by identifying your learners’ profiles, skill levels, preferences, and expectations. Use surveys, interviews, observations, tests, and portfolios to gather data and customize the curriculum to meet the specific goals and context of the ESL program. Define the overarching objectives based on the needs analysis. For example, goals might include improving communicative competence or intercultural awareness. You can use frameworks like CEFR or CLB to set measurable outcomes. Select appropriate content and materials that align with your objectives, including textbooks, multimedia resources, and interactive tools like educational games and language apps.

When determining a student's learning goals, it's important to gather as much information as possible and narrow down the objectives and outcomes to ensure they're learning exactly what they need to. This level of specificity allows for a tailored experience that complements their overall educational aspirations. Specificity makes this part a breeze.

Using the results from your needs analysis, establish clear objectives and outcomes for your ESL curriculum. Objectives outline the broad goals, like enhancing communicative skills, cultural awareness, or academic abilities. Outcomes specify the concrete, measurable achievements, such as mastering particular language functions, vocabulary, or grammar. Utilize frameworks like the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) or Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) to guide the development of these objectives and outcomes.

Depending on the grade level you are teaching, I tailor the ESL curriculum to align with what the student is currently learning in other subjects to address the language gaps. Utilize what your current group of students are interested in to increase engagement. For example, the year I discovered that my class loved our unit that included a play, I utilized the formatting of a play more to increase their participation in other units.

Selecting content and materials involves more than just choosing relevant topics and resources; it’s about creating an engaging and dynamic learning environment. Incorporating diverse multimedia resources like interactive simulations, virtual reality experiences, and real-world case studies can make learning more relatable and practical. Additionally, leveraging platforms like Google Classroom or Canvas for content delivery and collaboration can streamline the process and foster a more interactive learning experience, accommodating various learning styles.

Projects with rubrics were my preferred method of assessment. I mirrored project-based learning in the design, but modified it to be a bit more guided so that the students could work up to a true project-based learning assignment. A rubric is introduced and discussed at the beginning to set expectations and to provide an opportunity for clarification. The performance pressure is low with a flex timeline of completion. There are project milestones to meet to track progress. This style provides lots of opportunities to assess comprehension throughout the process.

Next, determine the methodology and assessment methods for your ESL curriculum. Methodology involves the teaching approaches and techniques, like task-based learning, cooperative learning, or the flipped classroom model. Assessment encompasses the tools and methods used to evaluate and provide feedback on learners' performance, such as quizzes, projects, or rubrics. Use tools like lesson plans, templates, and checklists to design and implement your chosen methodologies and assessments effectively.

Evaluating and revising the ESL curriculum is an ongoing process that benefits greatly from continuous feedback and data analysis. Implementing a feedback loop with regular surveys and open forums for students and stakeholders ensures the curriculum remains relevant and effective. Using data analytics tools to track learner performance and engagement can highlight areas needing improvement. Incorporating reflective practices like maintaining a teaching journal and participating in peer reviews can further refine and enhance the curriculum, making it a living document that evolves with the learners' needs.

The final step in designing your ESL curriculum is to evaluate and revise it using feedback from learners, colleagues, and stakeholders. Evaluation involves collecting and analyzing data to assess the curriculum's effectiveness, employing methods like surveys, interviews, observations, or tests. Revision means making necessary adjustments based on evaluation findings, which could include updating or modifying content, materials, methodology, or assessments. Utilize tools such as action research, reflective practice, or peer review to guide this process.

Video curriculum! Showing clips of you interacting with kids of different backgrounds in different schools and explaining with your own voice a bit about your education and experience, will make the schools and parents trust you more.

Agreed! This is particularly important when I teach students from cultures that do not put much value on the self/the individual, or shared personal reflections. Modeling what this looks and sounds like, in an academic environment, is supportive to the ESL student’s own ability to produce and will help them overcome some of the natural embarrassment that is implicitly discouraged in their home academic environments and culture.