Crossroads Café -an NYSED certifying training Ann Marie Przybyl ACCES/West RAEN 716-651-0560 amprzybyl@gmail.com
What is Crossroads Café? A video series designed to help students build English language skills and deepen their understanding of U.S. culture. Appropriate for ESL, adult literacy and basic skills (pre-hse), workplace, correctional educational programs, and family literacy Correlates to OCTAE s Employability Skills Framework, NRS Educational Functioning Levels, and Common Core Performance Indicators.
Program Components 26 broadcast-quality videos Worktexts Photo Stories Teacher Resource Books Partner Guide Assessment Package Transcripts
Videos 26 half-hour video episodes Education through entertainment Closed-captioned Six ethnically diverse characters whose lives intersect at the Café Each episode features Word Play and Culture Clips https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjg1vqfo gys
WorkText Framework Story Comprehension Language Development Thinking Skills
WorkText Three student levels Episode goals defined Practice with comprehension and pronunciation In Your Community (document practice) Read and Write (practicals) What Do You Think? and Culture Clips http://esl334evc.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/7/6/ 37762055/crossroads_cafe_chapter_1.pdf
Photo Stories An introduction to the story Who s in the Story? with pictures and descriptions of the main characters Storyboarded pictures from the video Comic-book like dialogue Question breaks Vocabulary list Picture dictionary Questions with self-checking answers
Teacher Resource Package General instructions on instructional methods Episode-specific suggestions for optional enrichment activities Fifty-two reproducible masters that provide interactive work opportunities for students in hybrid or distance learning programs.
Partner Guide Non-teachers can help the learner
Program Features Flexible multi-level approach Context based learning Self-instructional methods Communication skills Facilitation of different learning styles Appropriate for classroom or distance learning
Who Developed Crossroads Café? INTELECOM Intelligent Telecommunications Heinle & Heinle Publishing State Departments of Education in California, Florida, Illinois and New York United States Information Agency United States Immigration and Naturalization Service
Evaluative Studies Conducted Between 1995-1998 Reported: 98% of students surveyed said they liked the program 97% of administrators and teachers surveyed said students liked the program Quantitative and Qualitative data indicated improvement in Test Scores, Writing, Communication, and Confidence Student gains by category writing 23% - reading 18% - vocabulary 15% - cultural 9% Teachers also perceived improvement in language skills (54%), workbook answers (50%), spoken English (42%), and written English (25%). High retention rate less than 20% of students drop out of program
New York Formative Evaluation Study Found Support for the hypothesis that ESL distance learning with Crossroads Café can be as effective as classroom instruction at a significantly reduced cost
How Do You Use Crossroads Café? Two options, all based on identified learner goals and needs: Traditional Classroom Model as a resource Non-traditional (Distance Learning) stand alone EPE generator
Video Viewing Techniques Silent Viewing Listening without Viewing Back to Back Freeze Frame Prediction Summary Strips
Distance Learning Focus Questions What is Distance Learning? Why provide distance learning programs? How can teachers support student learning in distance learning programs? What are some barriers to implementing distance learning programs and possible solutions?
A Sample Distance Learning Program for Crossroads Cafe A biweekly packet containing a video, (or assigned PBS viewing), workbook assignments, and a learner log. Follow up phone calls Tutoring option Google Sites Student folder for each learner - a signed student contract ISRF IEEPP - a registration form - a learner log - assessment scores Student work
What Does the Teacher (Facilitator) Expect of the Student? Watch the video at home Write down questions Practice English with family and friends Do the exercises in the worktext.
What Can the Student Expect of the Facilitator? Feedback on written work Individualized support through personal communication email/google phone/other ideas? 3 hours tutoring per week, if desired
Record Keeping/Student Portfolio Individual Student Record NRS Intake Form (ISRF) Pre-test delivered on site Individual Education & Employment Preparation Plan Bi-Weekly Contact Log Sample student work evidencing progress Post-tests delivered on-site
EPE Reimbursement Programs are reimbursed according to the non-traditional EPE formula For every half hour contact made by a teacher a program is allocated 6 hours of EPE reimbursement per student http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/workforce/offic es/adult.html
Questions and Answers
References The following materials were used to develop this training. Refer to them for additional information and supportive resources: http://www.vitaeducation.org/wpcontent/uploads/crossroads-cafe-lesson-02-plan.pdf http://www.fastforwardny.org/xrdc/