What is TISESL? TISESL is a comprehensive set of instructional resources designed to introduce beginning and intermediate English language learners to vocabulary in three industry sectors: healthcare, sales and service, and manufacturing – as well as to employability skills in general. TISESL responds to the needs of adults with limited English proficiency and to the needs of three industry sectors in which many adults seek entry level employment. The curricula are modular in format and “bundle” skills together in thematic contexts that include English language learning, related math, technology, and employability. Employability is accompanied by a web-based component. Materials are based on principles of adult learning, employ a five step model for language development, and respond to the Texas Adult Education Content Standards and Benchmarks for ESL learners. Why and how was TISESL created? Texas Industry Specific English as a Second Language (TISESL) is Adult Education’s response to Texas legislation passed during the 79th legislative session of 2005. Education Rider 82 states:
TISESL is an instructional resource that was created in response to that legislative mandate. Based on research on adult learners' needs and the workforce requirements of business and industry, TISESL was developed for the instruction of adults with limited English proficiency and focuses on industry sectors in which many adults seek entry level employment. Healthcare, sales and service, and manufacturing all include occupations for which English language learners may qualify, provided the opportunities to acquire employment-related language/literacy skills, work readiness skills, and introductions to critical vocational components are made accessible. Qualifying for jobs that pay a living wage in these sectors requires that adult learners have access to a continuum of education and training services. [top]
What does each curriculum include? Materials for each industry sector consist of four modules with five lessons in each module. Each lesson covers approximately ten hours of instruction. The instructor’s training manual and the teacher lesson plans include Scope and Sequence charts for each module and a total of 200 hours of instruction in ESL, industry-related math, technology, and employability. Additional supplements include communication scenarios, student materials, references, a cognate dictionary, vocabulary, and end-of-lesson assessments. Student recruitment and orientation materials for each industry sector as well as suggestions for establishing internships are also provided. [top] All state and federally funded Adult Education and Literacy programs in Texas have access to the copyrighted TISESL materials for local program use by their teachers and their workforce development collaborators. How do authorized TISESL users obtain the instructional materials? To request the electronic TISESL materials, contact the TCALL Library at tcall@tamu.edu or 800-441-7323. [top] |