Transformative Teaching

Abstract

With the forced pivot to online learning and the absence of in-person interactions over the past two years, instructors have been seeking creative ways to build and maintain bonds with and among their EAL (English as an Additional Language) students. In light of the online learning and teaching affordances and limitations, instructors have strived to develop well-structured online forums, assignments, and tools to promote collaborative learning and virtual social interactions (Adams & Wilson, 2020). They have been tasked with re-examining and re-learning instructional practices to best meet the needs and expectations of their international EAL students. In a technologically evolving world, instructors must be prepared to constantly revise, update and transform their online teaching approaches. In the face of the challenges of the changing landscape of virtual learning, EAL educators need to find creative ways to promote online interactions contributing to building productive student communities. In this presentation, and a follow-up publication, we will draw on our teaching experiences in post-secondary contexts to suggest a set of best practices to enhance teaching and learning of EAL students online. The 5Cs Model is a set of practice-based strategies (5Cs) to support EAL students’ learning that builds the strengths students bring to their online learning communities. We will also discuss the importance of online orientations in promoting international students’ learning experiences and their overall success in their programs drawing on examples from our ongoing work with EAL students. (#236)
(Delegate Number 111)