|
|
|
|
|
|
ESL-English Class interviews Students in their ESL-English Class who worked on International Epicure project. |
International Epicure
International Epicure is a group project that has been produced by participating students of different classes during the spring semester of 1999 at Fullerton College. Each student used their skill that they were learning in their classes to create or design the specific part of the project. For example, foreign language students translated the menus, art students collected and organized artistic traces, computer students designed the web site, and English as a second language students reported the activity of others in their writings. In this essay, I want to look closer at the responsibilities of ESL students, how they participated, and what were the advantages of doing this project for them.
The ESL students were responsible to report on the students' projects and how they worked together to finally result in the existence of International Epicure. At the first stage, they studied the procedure and flow of activities of International Epicure in different phases. They created helpful questions and used them to interview the students on other teams, groups or classes. After gathering sufficient information, each team of ESL students worked together to organize their reports in an academic format. They finally wrote their reports in three drafts to provide audiences and future visitors of our web site enough details, facts, and examples to meet their needs and understand how the International Epicure was created.
The International Epicure project also improved the skills of the students who participated. In order to make a better project they studied and researched more about what they were responsible for; consequently, they learned about new subjects and new techniques related to their skills. For example, ESL students who were in composition class studied more vocabulary. They worked harder to understand the acceptable academic format for their reports. They shared information between each other, and finally, they learned more about how to write a report which is the final goal of composition classes. Most of the ESL students claim that they didn't know how to write a report when they started; however, after even the first draft, they all agreed that they learned a lot from this project.
Another great effect of the International Epicure project is the fact that it gave the students the confidence to participate in future college or work projects. Day by day, as different projects get more complicated, our society requires more and more group projects. One of the advantages of small projects like the International Epicure is that the members experience working in a team or group. When I interviewed some students in the ESL class, they all agreed that this project not only helped them to write better reports, but also raised their ability to participate in other groups. One of the students said, '"When we started, I was not even sure that I could finish it. But now, I am ready to actively work in any team or group and be helpful." In fact, the International Epicure project gave the students the confidence not to be afraid of being part of any team, group or project.
As a result of this project, The ESL students of our class worked together and hard to introduce International Epicure to the world of future visitors. They not only just used their skills to create reports, but they improved their skills by doing this project. Moreover, they increased their experience of working together in a group, which will turn out to be a great experience for their future.
Works Cited
Jamshidian, Danoush. Personal interview. April 15, 1999.
Randy, Nguyen. E-mail to the author. April 19,1999.
Papilaya, Veronica. E-mail to the author. April 21,1999.