TEACHING NSE AS A GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE

Courtney Pace Lyons, Ph.D.Louis Maze

Why It Works• Eagerness and vulnerability• Values of a liberal education– Critical thinking– Interdisciplinary connections–What do I know, and why does it

matter?

Difficulties• “Have to” take this class• Juggling multiple demands

Pace Lyons Framework• Academic rigor• Purposeful engagement with

diversity• Intentional connections to their world• Authenticity

Academic Rigor• “College Level”• Motivating challenges• Critical-thinking skills• Communication skills

Diversity• Readings from a variety of

perspectives• Class dialogue– Inclusivity set as an expectation

Connecting with Their World• Humor• Relevant media clips• Helpful analogies (pop culture, etc)• Connecting class material to their

lives and goals

MLC NSE• A cohort of fellow students who share the

common goal of learning the TL.• A relationship with a Baylor professor with

whom the student may talk, solve problems, and become an engaged member of the community of scholars and TL speakers.

• Rigorous study habits for learning the TL that will add to the student’s success in other classes and other areas.

• Reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in the TL that will transfer into success in other areas of study.

• Cultural sensitivity to other languages, cultures, and ethnicities through the study of the TL.

• Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS): cognitive skills through the process of language learning.

• The first year student experience in the target language as much as possible.

• An awareness of the TL in the workplace, different vocations where second language acquisition is essential, bilingualism in the world, and professional goals for the TL speakers throughout the semester.