ESL Program

FIRE English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL) Courses

Statement of Purpose

FIRE's purpose in offering ESOL courses is to empower learners. This is realized by increasing learners' proficiency in the English language by integrating listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar, and cultural skills into a real-life, context-based curriculum which reflects the learners' needs and goals. We strive to recognize learners as partners in the classroom by incorporating their backgrounds, opinions, and input into both classes and the management of FIRE.

Curriculum

Collaborations

FIRE uses the Collaboration series as its primary text in the classroom. Collaboration’s emphasis on real learner stories, contextual grammar work, and real-life issues allows students to learn English through a whole language approach. In addition, by using Collaborations as the primary text, students and teachers are able to have a more consistent and accessible curriculum to follow.

All ESL classes consist of one hour of instruction from the Collaborations series and one hour of instruction from other texts or resources. As an organization, FIRE endeavors to teach learners skills they can apply outside the classroom. During the second half of class, tutors are asked to use realia, props and visuals to enhance understanding and aid language acquisition.

Contexts and topics covered in class include, but are not limited to: transportation, health, education, shopping, work, neighborhood and family. Within each context we ask learners to utilize listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar, cultural skills and thinking/reasoning skills.

Sample ways in which skills can be incorporated into lessons:

Listening and speaking:

Listening for specific information, gist or detail
Listening to others' opinions and giving feedback
Responding to reading or listening tasks and discussing with group
Pronunciation practice
Vocabulary acquisition

Reading and writing:

Sequencing information
Reading for specific information, gist or detail
Simple letter and word formation (written)
Thought formation (written)
Filling in simple forms

Grammar:

Using the grammar appropriately within oral and literacy activities above
Word order games
Grammar worksheets when appropriate

Cultural:

Using learners' cultures as the context for a lesson – compare and contrast
Actively eliciting cultural information as it relates to the lesson
Encouraging learners to ask questions of each other and the tutor