Suggestions for non-ESL training for an ESL audience?

For general discussion between teachers

Moderator: Joe

AmirJustin
Member
Posts: 1
Joined: 13 Jul 2020, 11:02
Status: Teacher

Suggestions for non-ESL training for an ESL audience?

Unread post by AmirJustin »

Hello all,

I work for an American technology company, and one of my responsibilities is developing a training and certification program for our employees. I have lots of prior experience developing technical training, but until now I've had the luxury of being able to assume that my audience is mostly native English speakers. However, this training is going to also be used by our offices in places like India and Poland. The curriulum will be delivered as a series of self-paced, online courses (using Moodle), with a local mentor for answering questions. I've already completed most of the written materials and we are going to begin work on video supplements.

Before getting moving on that, though (really I should have done this a while ago), I thought I would ask here and see if anyone had suggestions or resources that I should keep in mind. Most of the advice I've found when searching online has to do with developing ESL materials specifically, whereas my subject matter is very different.

Most of what I've got so far is pretty intuitive...

For video materials:
* Take care to speak slowly and clearly
* Include subtitles
* Use graphics

For text materials:
* Take care to write at something like a 6th grade level (this one's really tough for me, to be honest, and I think I'm going to have to revise a lot of what I have)
* Use graphics

Anything else people would suggest?

I'm also curious what people think about the optimal balance between text and video for non-native speakers. On the one hand, it's easier for a non-native speaker to read than listen (that's my understanding, at least), but on the other, I am very keen to avoid "text fatigue" from students being bombarded with gobs of reading in a stretch. There are also hands-on exercises and quizzes, but there's still a lot of text to get through in parts, so my reasoning is that it's a net-positive to at least give students a choice between watching a presentation and/or reading text for some of the longer topics. Does that seem sound?

Thanks in advance for any help folks can offer!
Top
MTE1369
Member
Posts: 20
Joined: 23 Nov 2019, 15:22
Status: Other

Re: Suggestions for non-ESL training for an ESL audience?

Unread post by MTE1369 »

Hey there,

Polish Professionals generally speak better English than Americans... You might be surprised

This is crap... Only in Murica do you need to "Dumb Down" materials

Before you say anything or flag, Lived there 32 years and served 22 in the military! People are far more INTELLIGENT and Language proficient than you are willing to believe... Quick question How many Languages do you speak, most poles peak at least 2 maybe more.
EngTenses
Member
Posts: 14
Joined: 10 Aug 2020, 21:21
Status: Teacher Trainer

Re: Suggestions for non-ESL training for an ESL audience?

Unread post by EngTenses »

You seem to have got it sussed. Good luck with your course preparation. One thing you could do to continually improve your course is give your students opportunity for feedback. That way you'll find out what works best for your students.
User avatar
zeno38
Member
Posts: 1
Joined: 25 Mar 2022, 16:57
Status: Other

Re: Suggestions for non-ESL training for an ESL audience?

Unread post by zeno38 »

You might be able to get involved through the Pickering Welcome Centre, which specialises in assisting newcomers to Canada find appropriate work.

The only problem you might be having right now is that everything is locked down.
Post Reply