CATESOL24

Our presentation explores strategies to optimize Learning Management Systems (LMS) for ESL education. We'll discuss data-driven insights, interactive tools, and effective communication channels that enhance the learning experience. Participants will gain practical knowledge on leveraging LMS features to create dynamic, engaging, and accessible environments for language learners in higher education.

This session explores the wide range of submissions The CATESOL Journal, Newsletter, and Blog welcome and how accessible these venues are for members to share their action research, conference presentations, and/or classroom activities. CATESOL publications editors explain the ins and outs of publishing: audience and editor expectations, submissions policies, review and revision processes, and ideas for article topics. Anyone interested in publishing is encouraged to attend, regardless of background experience.
Slides: Tips for Publishing in The CATESOL Journal

This session provides practical information for applying to teach at colleges and universities. Come hear directly from those involved in the hiring process from UCLA, LA Mission College, and CSU Northridge about what they look for in applications regarding experience, training, and recommendations. They will also share how to best prepare for an interview, teaching demonstration, and other tips.

Traditional writing assessment often focuses on a final product as compared to the developmental process that initially brought it to fruition (Hirvela,1999; Stern & Solomon, 2006). As a result, learners focus their attention on perfecting a final product rather than on the process of writing. Unsurprisingly, much instructor feedback addresses technical corrections while comments focused on quality and development of ideas, structure/organization, and cohesion are frequently deficient (Stern & Solomon, 2006). In this workshop, we offer social annotation as a more humanized learning and assessment process.

Identity labels can be confusing for international student writers, even at the university level of academic writing programs in the United States. This presentation highlights teacher and student experiences with a collaborative podcast writing project on identity labels. The multimodal writing project was designed to help students explore the intersections between identity and language via a critical language awareness lens. Come learn how to empower and guide your students toward accurate and effective language to discuss identity, power, and social justice. The assignments and rubrics will be shared and presenters will share future goals and adaptations of this project.

Bring your coffee and join us for an engaging rap session that explores the pivotal role of California community colleges in fostering civic engagement and enhancing digital literacies. This session will delve into how our community colleges empower diverse communities, bridge societal gaps, and cultivate informed, active individuals. Through interactive discussions and real-world examples, participants will gain insights into effective strategies for integrating civic engagement and digital literacies into educational practices, enriching the community and empowering individual voices. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a transformative conversation.

This research explores the unique challenges nontraditional students face in adult ESL classrooms. It further applies McClusky's Theory of Margin, which analyzes the balance between an individual's demands and resources, to offer instructional recommendations. Nontraditional students, who are re-entry students balancing educational pursuits with multiple roles and responsibilities, often encounter significant external demands and limited resources. Through qualitative methods, including interviews and surveys, this study provides insights into experiences, learning goals, and challenges of these students. The findings inform strategies to enhance learning environments and aim to guide policymakers and instructors toward creating more inclusive and equitable ESL classrooms.

This interactive networking meeting unites ESL educators in a collaborative discussion on leveraging allyship to advocate for LGBTQ+ ESL students. Participants will engage in dialogue, share strategies, and identify actionable steps to build supportive communities and promote visibility, inclusion, representation, and safe spaces in the classroom and beyond.

Students don't leave their culture at home, but rather, bring it with them into the classroom. Even if everyone speaks English, when students don't understand each other's culture, there can be culture clashes that result in breakdowns in communication. Once an individual has been insulted, it is difficult to undo. To effectively work with immigrants and refugees, teachers must be knowledgeable about cultural practices around the world. Participants in this workshop will play a game designed to expand awareness and to challenge their knowledge of Do's & Taboos, Food & Drink, Holidays & Festivals, Superstitions and more.