Recruiting

Remember coming into this country, not speaking English, and perhaps feeling frustrated or lonely?

Help Iowa’s teachers understand what it is like as they prepare to teach English Language Learners.

We are looking for adult native speakers of languages other than English. If selected, you will participate in a simulation event at "Our Kids" teacher-training professional development conference sponsored by the Iowa Department of Education. The goal of the simulation is to help Iowa teachers become more empathetic to the needs of their students and families who are non-native speakers of English and newcomers to Iowa.

Your major role in the simulation will be to represent a simulated community place (e.g., a school, an employment office, a clinic, etc.) where you would speak only in your native language to elementary and secondary teachers in Iowa as they will be trying to complete their tasks.

Date:  Tuesday, July 31st

Time: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Location: Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa

Compensation: $100.00. Lunch and transportation provided

 ALL LANGUAGE BACKGROUNDS NEEDED!

  Hi there!  I hope you are enjoying your summer!  Roberta Vann and I are working on the “Life in a Second Language” Simulation, and our question for you is – Would you like to take part in our simulation to help teachers better understand the needs of English language learners (ELLs)? 

On July 31st, at the Simpson College in Indianola, the simulation will start at 9:00 a.m. and last till about 4 p.m. 
You will be paid $100 for your participation.  Now, I bet you are wondering what you would have to do at this simulation.  Well, it is rather interesting and simple.  All you have to do is speak in your native language for two 30-minute rounds when teachers arrive at your station.

The simulation will be conducted twice for two sets of about 100 teachers who will be divided into groups of 5 to make a family.  Once the teachers form families, they will be given roles and tasks which they must complete.  These ‘families’ will also be assigned different socioeconomic levels. The teachers then will have to maneuver around a ‘pretend city’ to real-life stations such as a doctor's office, a housing bureau, or a school to communicate and accomplish their goals.  In order for these teachers to understand the challenges their students and their families face, they will be put in situations that ELLs usually find themselves in.  The people who they will have to communicate with at the stations (i.e. you) DO NOT speak English, so the teachers will have to find other ways to communicate and reach their goals.  Your role will be one of ‘workers at each station.’  You may be one of the doctors or a teacher at one of the schools, or take on some other role, speaking in your native language with someone of a common language, and making things difficult for the teachers who only speak English.

So, if you are interested in what seems like a very fun and worthwhile simulation, please let me know ASAP so I can sign you up. 

Pass this along to any adult family, friends, etc.

We are looking forward to hearing from you.

Elena Cotos
Graduate Assistant

LSL Simulation Main page