The Colorful World Project: Cross-Cultural Studies Hub

English through Literature

Jeffrey Rasch, University of North Texas, USA (jeffrey.rasch@unt.edu) 

Demonstration of Presenter-developed Web-based Reading System Designed to Improve Reading Speed and Comprehension 

This presentation will demonstrate the classroom use of web-based software designed by Old Dominion University's English Language program to break any reading into chunks, or "phrase-cued" text. While developed by ODU's English Language Center, ESL teachers at other institutions can can use it as well. 

Carry English in your Pocket 

To provide additional language practice outside the classroom and reinforce learning in the classroom, English faculty members at Daffodil International University in Bangladesh are using the open-source tool LiveCode to develop mobile apps. Most of the students have smartphones, so we are focusing on developing materials for these devices. 

Claire Bradin Siskin, Daffodil International University, Bangladesh (csiskin@edvista.com)  

Bipasha Binte Haque, Daffodil International University, Bangladesh (bbhaque@gmail.com)  

Shamsi Ara Huda, Daffodil International University, Bangladesh (shamsi@daffodilvarsity.edu.bd)  

Mir Sadia Siddequa, Daffodil International University, Bangladesh (sadia.eng@diu.edu.bd)

Sadia Zafrin Lia, Daffodil International University, Bangladesh (zafrin.eng@diu.edu.bd) 

When the app is available, information will be available here:

http://www.edvista.com/claire/apps/brimeng.html

Greg Raver-Lampman, Lecturer

Old Dominion University English Language Center

Norfolk, VA

Email: Graverla@odu.edu

Phone (cell): (757) 335-0944

Ms. Shamsi Ara Huda works as an Assistant Professor at the Department of English in Daffodil International University in Bangladesh. She has four research articles and one book as published to her credit. She is interested in reflective teaching, materials design and Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL).

Dr. Bipasha Binte Haque is an Assistant Professor of English at Daffodil International University. She earned her PhD from Australia. She earned her MA in ELT from England. She also earned an MA in English Literature from Dhaka University. Her research area is listening skills in English.

Claire Bradin Siskin was working as an English Language Specialist at Daffodil International University in Dhaka until recently. She is an enthusiastic practitioner of computer-assisted language learning (CALL). Siskin is the former Director of the English as a Second Language Writing Online Workshop (ESL-WOW). She has given presentations in 19 countries.

S adia Zafrin Lia is working as an English Lecturer in Daffodil International University. She has presented papers at Dhaka University and at the University of Liberal Arts of Bangladesh (ULAB).  Previously, she worked for the College of Development Alternative (CODA) as an English teacher.

Mir Sadia Siddequa is a Research Associate in the Department of English, Daffodil International University. She earned her BA and MA degree in ELT from Daffodil International University. Her interests include CALL and online teaching. Recently she has been working on LiveCode for developing apps for language learning.

Her interest in teaching international communication evolved from extensive engagement in interpreting and translation and in a number of international projects. Valentina strongly advocates innovative TEFL methods, especially the learner-centered approach, promotes the use of technology and fosters intercultural cooperation through three Facebook groups and her website www.writespeakenglish.com. 

Jeffrey Rasch is an instructor of English as a Second Language at the Intensive English Language Institute at the University of North Texas, where he teaches writing and grammar to international students.  He is interested in language acquisition, especially vocabulary growth, through extensive reading.  He has worked in the field of documentary linguistics and is also interested in using insights from the field of descriptive/functional linguistics to improve the teaching of grammar to second language learners.