ESOL Resource Centers

I am taking a class on Methods and Materials for teaching ESOL. My discussion group is supposed to weigh the merits of having an ESOL resource center in a school system. We are finding very little mentioned about this type of center. Does anyone have an ESOL resource center at their school or in their school system? How does it work? Do you feel it is effective or does it just "look good on paper" for your system?

[Steven D]

Originally Posted by smoore

I am taking a class on Methods and Materials for teaching ESOL. My discussion group is supposed to weigh the merits of having an ESOL resource center in a school system. We are finding very little mentioned about this type of center. Does anyone have an ESOL resource center at their school or in their school system? How does it work? Do you feel it is effective or does it just "look good on paper" for your system?

I have a folder in my computer with other folders in it. It's some work to maintain this database. I would say, "Just do it." The question is, though: Who will do it? - I do it for myself. I've accumulated lots of documents through internet surfing. I've created documents on my own as well.

8) :D

[Tdol]

Originally Posted by smoore

I am taking a class on Methods and Materials for teaching ESOL. My discussion group is supposed to weigh the merits of having an ESOL resource center in a school system. We are finding very little mentioned about this type of center. Does anyone have an ESOL resource center at their school or in their school system? How does it work? Do you feel it is effective or does it just "look good on paper" for your system?

We have a VLE, but it's fairly embrionic. We also have access to three databases of materials that share materials among colleges. One is good and the other two are dreadful.

I worked at an adult education centre, we had a "so called" resource centre. It was out of date, uncatalogued and lots of things went missing from it.

Personally I think they are a great idea, alot of materials are too expensive for every teacher to have a copy, but it should be strictly controlled, like a library.

I now use the internet as my own personal resource centre!

[Tdol]

I find the internet much more up-to-date than the resources I can access elsewhere.