Africa Online - Overview

English Language Education:
Using Web Resources to Develop Classroom Content-Based Materials

OVERVIEW

This is an informational website for the course "English Language Teaching: Using Web Resources to Develop Content-Based Materials for the Classroom." It is open Fall 2001 to educators from across sub-Saharan Africa through the American English Institute at the University of Oregon in conjunction with the U.S. Department of State Public Diplomacy, Office of English Language Programs in Washington D.C. and the Public Affairs section of the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa. This course will emphasize the applied use of web-based resources and content-based instructional practices in English language teaching environments. Participants are developing practical, print-based materials using resources from content-rich websites.

Materials and resources used in this course are selected based on a combination of individuals' and program needs. A survey of participants' interests and needs was conducted at the start of the course. Resources are both pedagogically sound from a teaching and learning perspective, and freely available through the Internet (the Web and/or email).

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GOALS OF THE COURSE

The goals of this course are to:

• Learn how to use web sites for finding resources to support English language teaching and learning.
• Collaborate with language teaching colleagues around Africa with similar pedagogical interests.
• Practice adapting and creating culturally and pedagogically appropriate content-based English materials.
• Develop understanding in the content areas of Entrepreneurship, Civic Education, and HIV Education and how they might be incorporated into English language teaching.

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REQUIREMENTS

Computer Requirements
• Email account. (Need a free email account? Sign up for one at: Hotmail or Yahoo.)
• World Wide Web access.

Course Requirements
Coursework should be completed within the scheduled term. Participants will be expected to:
• Evaluate recommended websites and readings for content vis-a-vis your own educational programs.
• Join in weekly online discussions through an email list or discussion board (not in "real time" or chat). Guest content experts will join our discussions.
• Complete one mini-project each week (print-based activities or lesson plans for use in your programs). Instructors will provide examples, templates and individual guidance.

Amount of Time each Week
You should expect to spend a minimum of 5 hours per week in this course. Since it's an online course, you can read materials and work at your convenience. You will be able to download copies of readings and templates so that you can work offline (not connected to a modem) part of the time as well.

"Buddy System"
Participants are strongly encouraged to enroll in pairs or teams. If you have one or more colleagues or friends to work with you, you will be able to help each other and build a stronger base of knowledge in your area.

New to online education?
If yes, you may want to try this quiz to help you determine if distance education is a good fit for you.

Questions?
There is no such thing as a "dumb" question. All questions are welcome at all times! Please feel free to personally contact the instructor with any questions, concerns or hopes that you would like addressed:
Leslie Opp-Beckman, leslieob@oregon.uoregon.edu

Registration Information
Registration is closed as of October 15, 2001.
You can contact Leslie Opp-Beckman at leslieob@oregon.uoregon.edu if you have any questions.

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COURSE COMPLETION

At the end of the course, participants who complete the course requirements satisfactorily will:
• Have a collection of resources and practical materials for use in their individual teaching situations.
• Receive a certificate of participation.
• Earn four (4) Continuing Education Units (CEU's). The CEU's will be awarded through the University of Oregon, American English Institute. A CEU is a Continuing Education Unit awarded to students taking special courses. One CEU is presented for ten hours of participation in an organized course taught by qualified instructors. This distance education course is designed for approximately 40 hours of work. Therefore, 4 CEU's will be awarded by the American English Institute at the University of Oregon. Student records will be kept on file at the American English Institute.

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SCHEDULE AND SYLLABUS

Weeks	Dates	Topics
Registration	Oct. 8 - Oct. 11	Registration and Orientation
Weeks 2-4	Oct. 15 - Nov. 2	Entrepreneurship
Weeks 5-7	Nov. 5- Nov. 23	Civic Education
Weeks 8-10	Nov. 26 - Dec. 14	HIV-AIDS

The Syllabus web page has links to handouts and web sites, and more details on weekly course content.

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INSTRUCTORS

Leslie Opp-Beckman, Technology Coordinator and Instructor
Email: leslieob@oregon.uoregon.edu

Peggy Dame, Special Programs Coordinator and Instructor
Email: pdame@oregon.uoregon.edu

Mailing Address and International Phone Numbers
American English Institute
5212 University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon 97403-5212 U.S.A.
Office Phone: 541-346-3945
Office FAX: 541-346-3917

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This project gratefully acknowledges the materials produced by Marion Smallbones, an Independent Language Education Consultant in Capetown, South Africa.

AEI Affiliations and Accreditation:
The American English Institute (AEI) at the University of Oregon is an active member in good standing with The American Association of Intensive English Programs (AAIEP) and The Consortium of University and College Intensive English Programs (UCIEP). AEI is also fully accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) and agrees to uphold the CEA Standards for English Language Programs.

AEI Mission Statement:
"It is the mission of the AEI to enhance individual growth and global understanding in the international community through English language and intercultural learning, teaching, and research opportunities. The AEI strives to be recognized internationally for its high quality programs, contributions to the field of English language teaching, and the educational experiences it provides to students and faculty."

Privacy Statement from University of Oregon's American English Institute.
Participants are also advised that registration information may be shared with the course sponsors: the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs office in Pretoria and/or the Public Affairs post in your country.

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American English Institute
5212 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403-5212 USA

FAX: 541-346-3917
Office: 541-346-3945