CATESOL24

How do you teach people to read and write if they can't speak or understand English, or in many cases, can't read or write in any language at all? The presenter will share tips, techniques, and lesson plans. One of the key components of success is building a class community where the students get to know, help, trust, and respect one another. Attendees will leave this session with an understanding of the process and a variety of techniques and activities they can use in their own beginner level classes.

Assessments in TESOL are not just tools for assessing student progress but are integral to effective teaching and learning. This session explores practical strategies to create more effective assessments by incorporating the six principles of effective assessment: validity, reliability, authenticity, practicality, positive washback, and equity. The session covers aligning assessments with objectives, using clear rubrics, providing meaningful feedback, and making the assessment process more equitable. By the end, educators, assessment designers, and administrators will gain strategies to create goal-aligned assessments, illustrated with real-world examples and success stories. This presentation is ideal for those seeking to refine their assessment practices.

Participants will learn about the new USCIS Form N-400 Application for Naturalization (2024) structure, contents, and vocabulary, how to re-arrange our curriculum to address these changes, and how to adapt current published and Gen AI materials to prepare our students for their naturalization interview and empower them to be active citizens.

Looking for somewhere to eat lunch? Drop in and introduce yourself to other San Gabriel Valley educators. Share what you've been teaching, regional-specific challenges and successes, and whether you've been involved in Chapter activities before! Whether you're new to the San Gabriel Valley area or are interested in getting involved in the Chapter, we're happy to have you here!

San Gabriel Valley Chapter serves the following regions:
- El Monte
- Pasadena
- Temple City
- Claremont
- Monterey Park
- San Dimas
- La Cańana Flintridge
- Pomona
- Walnut
- any other parts of LA that don't feel like they have a home!

Are you on the San Gabriel Valley Chapter message board? Take this opportunity to log into your catesol.org member profile and join the San Gabriel Valley Chapter message board, so you can stay up-to-date on all San Gabriel Valley Chapter CATESOL events!

Interested in getting involved in the Chapter? Message catesolmerve@gmail.com, our Chapter Council Chair, and she'll get you connected!

CATESOL attendees are invited to showcase a new corpus-related app, platform, or digital resource that you have tried out this past year -- or think you might try out in the near future.

This is really informal and low-stakes: Just be ready to take 3-5 minutes to highlight the app/digital resource and a classroom or online activity idea. Then, each of us can follow up with people about the items that resonate the most.

Let us know if you are interested in highlighting a tool: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Vefd7bJWRPzzzMqnUVmO4ds268TJdmHMjJnztTAQm6Y/edit?usp=sharing. Or just show up ready to roll!

And bring your devices, questions, and snacks.

Join us for an exploration of how one community college empowers both non-native English-speaking learners and tutors through technology-integrated ESL tutoring and ongoing training. This presentation explores replicable tutoring models and strategies, contributing to ongoing discussions on technology's pivotal role in TESL education and student access. Join us to explore insights, successes, and challenges.