Boise State University

Teacher Education Course Syllabus

Course: Identification & Diagnosis of Limited English Proficient Students (3)  

Course Number: ED BLESL 301   Schedule:  E 317/MP 203  Th 6-9 pm

Instructor:Roberto Bahruth  Office Hours: 1/2 hour before or after class or by appointment

Email:RobertoBahruth@boisestate.edu  Phone: 426 3680                                   

Conceptual Framework:  The Professional Educator 

Boise State University strives to develop knowledgeable educators who integrate complex roles and dispositions in the service of diverse communities of learners. Believing that all children, adolescents, and adults can learn, educators dedicate themselves to supporting that learning.  Using effective approaches that promote high levels of student achievement, educators create environments that prepare learners to be citizens who contribute to a complex world.  Educators serve learners as reflective practitioners, scholars and artists, problem solvers, and partners. 

Standards and Assessments 

 Course Description

Language proficiency tests and theory.  Previews language assessment instruments currently in use. Interpretion of the results of these instruments in order to place children at the proper level of Bilingual Education or ESL. Practical experience in administering assessment instruments. PREREQ:  Admission to Teacher Education & Spanish 202.  PREREQ/COREQ:  ED-BLESL 201.  

Course Objectives

- To understand theoretical foundations of language acquisition and authentic assessment practice

- To be able to critique testing instruments using theoretical yardsticks

- To gain experience in administration and scoring of testing instruments

- To understand the language/concepts of testing and language proficiency

- To understand the role of the educator to minimize bias in assessment

Texts

- Selected reading provided by the instructor

- Using the Natural Approach using the New Oxford Picture Dictionary. ENG Jackson, Utilizando el metodo natural, EPN Jackson

- The New Oxford Picture Dictionary (English/Spanish) Gaitan

- Literacy con Cariño NEW ED. Hayes, et al. (Preface both intros. Ch 6, Epilogue)

Grading Procedures

PROJECT 20%:  In groups of two or three, review a test instrument (LAS, A-LAS, BINL, BSM, Maculaitis, Integrative Tests, etc.) according to the criteria presented during the course.  Critique the test according to language acquisition theory and test construction criteria.  OR Demonstrate an alternative assessment using the Jackson texts by developing a lesson to be implemented in EDBLESL 497 Pedagogy of Language.  PROJECTS SHOULD REFLECT UNDERSTANDING OF COURSE OBJECTIVES.

ATTENDANCE  & PARTICIPATION 20%:  Class participation requires all of us to give our undivided attention to each speaker throughout the course.  Part of my responsibilities is to ensure that we all respect the right of a speaker.  My ongoing assessment includes monitoring this point.  If you want to comment to a neighbor, write down your comments and share them after class.  Attend sessions of EDBLESL 497 Pedagogy of Language. Attendance, punctuality, attentiveness to others count.  We all have an obligation with a reciprocal interaction format.                                      

HOMEWORK 20%:  Academic dialogue journals are a standard requirement to be exchanged at each class meeting.  Each writing partner must provide a journal so a two-way exchange is possible.  Each entry in these journals must be dated, written in black ink, and both partners' names should be on the covers.  These journals will be evaluated by the instructor at the end of the course for quantity & quality (analysis, synthesis, application, questioning & responding).

FINAL REFLECTION PAPER 40%:  An analysis, synthesis, application paper focusing on major concepts and issues raised during class discussions, projects, and in readings which demonstrates comprehension of course objectives.                              

A note on Academic Dishonesty:  It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that all references are properly recognized and that all sources are fully documented.