Paola Vega Tapia

EDUC 413

02/17/16
Prof. Jos Morales Sousa

Answer the following questions based on the material discussed in class (10 points
each).
1. Describe the English Programs mission, vision, and goals.
The mission of the English program is to develop students that can communicate
affectedly in the English language. They also want the students to write and
communicate orally in this language by fomenting the creativity and the critical
thinking. The visions of this program is to create in the students solidarity, respect and
appreciation for other cultures. Also they want the students to communicate creatively,
critically and reflexive in the English language. The goals of this program are:

Develop in students the ability to communicate effectively, from both orally

and in writing in the English language.

Students develop competencies in all dimensions of knowledge since its
inception in the development of language skills in English Integrated with

different subjects.
Guide students to access, organize, investigate and evaluate information
obtained through technological means or other essential resources for the

development of the skills of reading and writing in English.

Provide access to English Program curriculum for all children and youth with

special needs.
Encourage the development of remediation strategies to address the particular
needs of students and that they can get a proficient mastery of the academic

standards of the matter.

Develop educational activities aligned with Content Standards and
Expectations for Grade, using the Assessment in a meaningful and relevant
context.

Strengthen the teaching of ethics, moral values and attitudes through

educational experiences.
To develop in students a critical, creative and analytical thinking through the

educational experience to which it is exposed during the learning process.

Harmonize learning styles during teaching English, providing authentic

experiences.
2. What are the basic principles of the English program as outlined in its circular letter?
The basic principles of the English program are the following:

The language is a mechanism use by the human being to communicate,

socialize and achieve goals.

The acquisition of a language should include and enabling and optimal

environment; using appropriate incentives and reinforcements.

The language consists of many communicative skills in a broad context. The
nature of the particular skills needed depends on the roles of participants,

situations and the goals of interaction.

The arts of the language: listening, speech, read and write are integral parts of

the English.
The learning of a second language is more significant when use in authentic

situations.
The curriculum objectives are reflected in an affective evaluation.
The essential elements of the language are learned effectively when is carried
out as a planned, systematic and gradual process.

3. Mention and describe the approaches currently used for the teaching of ESL?
The approaches used for the teaching of ESL are:

Balanced Literacy Approach: this approach promotes the integration of the

language arts using literature as a means to build the meaning. We must
incorporate educative experience that motivates the student to develop, relate
and activate his knowledge with what is reading and writing. Reading

comprehension is the process of creating meaning by relating ideas of a text to

prior knowledge. This process involves helping distinguish the important
points of the text and to relate them to their own experiences. Through this

approach, every reader will develop its own meaning of the text.
Natural Approach: this approach is based in four stages; pre-production,
early production, speech emergency and intermediate fluency.

Pre-Production: the students associate and assimilate concepts in the second

language through Total Physical Response (TPR).
Early Production: the student can communicate through the use of one or two
words. This can be achieve through questions and expanding the concepts
acquired through TPR.
Speech Emergency: in this stage, the student can use simply linguistic structures
to communicate. The same, become more complex as diverse experiences are
conducive to the use of language. The purpose of this stage is to ensure that
repetition is minimal in oral production.
Intermediate Fluency: the student acquire sufficient dominion of the language to
express with fluidly and with correction. Use the different time verbs and complex
structures. To achieve the dominion of this skill, we most use oral communication.

Oral Approach: this approach is a practical way to teach a second language

through the phonetics. The following statements support the use of this

approach:
The phonetic awareness is essential in the language; therefore, in the initial

steps, reading must come from the oral practice.

The sound are represented from different graphic symbols; sometimes a letter
represents various sounds or various letters represent the same sound.

In the initial stage of learning, the spelling system of the vernacular tongue
interferes with pronunciation, if the reading is allowed precede the oral

practice.
The well- directed oral practice provides a better opportunity for the formation

of correct pronunciation habits.

In the initial stage, the natural order in the sequence of listening, speaking,
reading and writing is the most effective to acquire a greater mastery of
language skills.
Communicative Approach: this approach consist of three stages; each of

which emphasizes individual situations through the following steps:

Pre communicative: its structured and modeled by teachers; use the

grammatical forms.
Quasi communicative: presents a less controlled situation with emphasis on

structured language.
Communicative: presents spontaneous situations and flows freely.
Functional- Notional Approach: this approach concentrates in the purposes
in which the language is use and makes emphasis in the concepts and
functionality through five learning variables: situation,

communication,

forms of language, semantics and humanistic psychology.

Differentiated Instruction: this approach emphasizes lesson planning for

the entire group while taking into account individual differences.

Consider the different learning styles.
It allows educators to individualize the teaching and learning process.
Recognizes the diversity among students.
It promotes social relationships and self-valorization.
Addresses the social, emotional and academic needs of students.

Project Based Learning: this approach allows students to acquire the skills to
process meaningful learning through activities aimed at solving problems and
making decisions. The tasks involved in research culminating in an authentic
learning. It promotes learning new habits and creating ideas to handle

conflicts. The essential elements of this approach include:

A task as a starting point: it must be challenging and useful for students.

The practice of advanced skills: this project requires students to perform

complex tasks such as interviews, electronic operation equipment and word

processing, among others.

Heterogeneous and collaborative groups: is essential that the class works in
small groups that allows to divide the tasks in a manageable way; this scheme

provides the experience needed to succeed in the real world.

The teacher as facilitator: as students do most of the work on the project, the
teacher integrates groups, offers suggestions, provides structure and ensures

that the students critic their own efforts.

Extended blocks: completing assignments take a period longer than one day,
due to the complexity of the same. The challenge for the teacher is to keep all

students engaged.
4. Select one of the recommended activities for the teaching of ESL and indicate how
you would apply it in your classroom (Refer to the circular letter).
Critical Thinking Questions. I would apply this activities, when discussing a book, a
new topic or concept and to see if the students are understanding correctly the concept
that we are discussing.
5. What is the college and career readiness listening expectation for K-2 according to the
Puerto Rico Core Standards and Expectations?
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The college and career readiness listening expectation for K-2 is that the
students most comprehend and analyze information from a variety of listening
activities to ask and answer questions on social, academic, college, and career

topics.
6. What is the college and career readiness writing expectation for K2 according to the Puerto Rico Core Standards and Expectations?
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The college and career readiness writing expectation for K-2 is to write
arguments to support point of view using valid reasoning and sufficient

evidence.
7. What does K.L.1 stands for?

K indicates de grade, L the standard and 1the indicator.

8. What is the usefulness of the International Phonetic Alphabet?

-

IPA is a phonetic notation system that uses a set of symbols to represent each
distinct sound that exists in human spoken language. It encompasses all
languages spoken on earth. The system was created in 1886 and was last
updated in 2005. It consists of 107 letters, 52 diacritics, and four prosodic

marks.
9. Reflection: How will this information help you in your teaching experience?
This information will help me in the future to teach the English class how it is
supposed to be teach, to help my student understand the English language, to speak it
and write it correctly and to not be scared to use it to communicate.