1. Real English for Real People Developing an English Curriculum for Georgia Community Colleges

2. 2 Dr. Barbara Matthies BA in German MA in Linguistics Ph.D. in Second Language Education 30 years of teaching and administration at Iowa State University

3. 3 Taught English worldwide Nis, Yugoslavia Kathmandu, Nepal Harari, Zimbabwe Kharkov, Ukraine Alexandria, Egypt

4. 4 Community colleges are coming to Georgia! A new institution needs a new curriculum: Rational Useful Integrated

5. 5 Competencies in Curriculum  General & technical knowledge  Quality orientation  Initiative  Innovation  Cultural adaptability

6. 6 Analysis & judgment Planning Communication Teamwork Integrity Customer focus

7. 7 Certificate - Fall Semester Introduction to Microcomputing Human Relations Business and Professional English Interpersonal Communications Modern Business Environment and Sustainable Development

8. 8 Certificate - Spring Semester Microcomputing Applications Effective Business Writing Business and Professional English Career Planning & Decision-making Small Business Business Math

9. 9 Students want a practical, useful course to get a good job to be successful and take pride in good work to continue learning and developing

10. 10 Project Administrators want to achieve success To attract support and resources To attract good students To attract the best instructors

11. 11 Instructors want to help students learn By using effective classroom methods By developing useful materials By documenting student progress

12. 12 Why English is a part of the new curriculum? World business uses English Most of the Internet uses English Technical manuals and reports mainly use English

13. 13 English for Specific Purposes (ESP) Workplace English Used in business and technology Practical, purposeful

14. 14 First year emphasizes Reading Scanning the visual layout Using prior knowledge Recognizing text organization Locating important information in a long text

15. 15 Explain and test in Georgian Saves time Ensures understanding Raises the comfort level

16. 16 Add Listening Reading texts can be recorded Practice listening to formal presentations Same recordings can be used in other courses

17. 17 Assumptions Language learning is cyclical, not in a straight line. So, the language curriculum must be cyclical.

18. 18 Assumptions about Students know the basic bits of English from school motivated to improve want to use English in real situations

19. 19 Assumptions about Instructors want students to expand their repertoires motivated to use techniques that succeed creative in using limited resources

20. 20 Summary of English Curriculum Read things written for a real audience Listen to things spoken by native English speakers Write in response to what was read or heard Speak about familiar work-related topics Choose topics from business and technology

21. 21 What about Grammar? Find examples in the readings. Also focus on word formation (prefixes, suffixes, common roots). Make exercises and tests on those points.

22. 22 Recommendations Test students’ knowledge of basic English before entrance. Give students knowledge of using English for the workplace.

23. 23 Incorporate competencies into the English syllabus. Gain the cooperation of colleagues in other specialties. Test students’ knowledge of how to use workplace English before exit.

24. 24 Recommendations for Materials Always use authentic workplace materials. Consult with colleagues in other specialties to locate materials. Use Web sites, magazine articles, CD-ROMs, instruction manuals. Create lessons from what is in the materials.

25. 25 Focus on reading. Add other skills later. Review grammar as necessary.

26. 26 Conclusions Developing a curriculum is time- consuming, but very rewarding. The first time is the hardest. Revise the syllabus as needed.