Hello all!

I am a current TESL Ontario candidate and for my first assignment, I must write a paper based on an interview with an ESL/LINC teacher. However, the teacher I was supposed to interview canceled at the last minute, so I am hoping to gain feedback from this forum!!

Thankyou in advance for your help!!! Please feel free to answer any of the questions below, and if you can, let me know if this is an ESL or LINC classroom:

Types of Program:

In what type of program does this teacher work?

How many contact hours does the teacher have?

What is the ratio of teachers to learners?

What is the length of course?

What are the program goals?

What is the general curriculum?

How are the goals and curriculum implemented?

Is there an assistant teacher or teacher aide available?

2. Learner demographics and characteristics:

What are the ages, proficiency levels, and first language literacy levels of the students in this class?

If this is a multilevel class, what is the range of proficiency levels?

From which countries do the learners originate? If relevant, what is their cultural group (e.g., Tibetan student from China)?

What are the students backgrounds and experiences with general education?

What are the students backgrounds and experiences with second language education in English?

What are the students backgrounds and experiences with second language education in other languages?

Why are the students studying English? What are their goals and aims?

3. Learning styles and teaching techniques:

What tasks and activities do the majority of students like most? Why do they like those activities?

Are there some students who do not agree with their peers about preferred activities? Why do opinions differ?

What tasks and activities do the majority of students dislike? Why do opinions differ?

4. Learning environment:

How available is English input outside the classroom?

How available are resources in the teaching institution (e.g., ESL/EFL library, self-access room, language or computer lab)?

How much do the students actually use the above resources?

How available is community and family support?

5. The teachers views:

What does the teacher view as the strengths and weaknesses of the program?

What, in the teachers opinion, are the most challenging aspects of teaching in this program?