Statement of Problem
The teachers in the PHA program realized that the students' attendance
patterns are linked to their feelings and perception of success. We began
where we left off last year by taking a closer look at the two strongly
identified 'encouraging factors' which influence student attendance: The
relationship with the teacher and the feeling of success.
What specific events in the program create a 'feeling of success'?
To what degree do students identify both long term and interim learning
with their employment goals?
Do the students who express a feeling of success have a more developed
system for measuring personal goal attainment?
Are there personal systems for measuring success that can be incorporated
into the program design?
How do adult learners in our programs define success?
What characterizes a 'good' relationship with a teacher for these adult
students?
Do the instructors' perceptions of their relationship with their students
align with the studentsí perceptions?
Method of Data Collection
We formulated seven questions in English and Spanish and distributed
these to the ESL and GED students during a two months period. They
were asked to write an essay about the question. We asked the students
to be honest, critical, clear, and to the point; without regard to what
anyone else thinks --their opinion. This was an informal survey from which
the data was collected.
When do you feel successful; 'I had a great class', 'I learned a lot'?
What happens that day in class that gives you a feeling of success: 'I had a great day', 'I feel good about the class and myself'?
Do you connect learning English or getting your GED with your employment goals?
If you have a feeling of success (this is/was a good class), does that bring you closer to your personal goals? (e.g. Secretary, Nurses Assistant, Receptionist, Beautician, Teacher, College)
Do you think that the teacher can give you the 'feeling of success' every day? How? If not, why not?
Describe a good relationship with your teacher.
Do you think that the teacher has the same understanding of a good relationship with you? Does the teacher understand you?
Method of Data Analyzation
After entering each and every student's writing into the computer we
started to summarize and analyze the information. I worked together
with a Psychology Intern at Brown University who advised me and helped
me interpret the writings. We wanted to be sure that the studentsí
feelings were interpreted/translated correctly.
Conclusions and Implications
Students want to learn something in each class. It is not the
quantity that counts but the ability for the individual student to understand
a problem or grammar; the ability to connect with the 'essence of learning'.
Some observations show that such experiences are to the students like an
epiphany. These experiences carry over to other students who want to accomplish
the same. It gives the students the incentive to work together in
the process of learning. Attendance is very much linked to these
experiences. The ability to connect with the 'essence of learning' is also
the chief motivator for a student to look into the future and envision
an employment goal. It transmits hope.
Students like to measure their success. Portfolio assessment has not been very effective for the students. The portfolio serves more as a 'present' to the teacher. We have students who submit drawings to the teacher for their portfolio. Also, portfolio work has to be 'perfect'. It is never their original writing with mistakes.
Tests are very important to students; more often the better. It shows their progress and their weaknesses. And, it reflects their ability or inability to grasp and surmount the problem and/or understand the grammar.
A P P E N D I X
Summarized Student Writings
When do you feel successful; 'I had a great day'; 'I learned a lot'?
ESL: Comprehend
Be challenged
Class is interesting ESL: Comprehend grammar
Converse ESL: Learn new vocabulary
Converse
Improve Pronunciation ESL: Learn new vocabulary
Pronounce correctly ESL: Learn something new
Participate in class ESL: Learn grammar
Comprehend
Teacher is patient GED: Learn with children GED:
Attend school and job training program GED: Be with
children
Learn with them
Improve life GED: Be with children
Learn with them GED: Learn something every day
Become independent
What happens in class when you get a feeling of success? 'I had a great day', 'I feel good about the class and myself'?
ESL: Learn more every day
ESL: Learn everything I need to get a good job ESL: Learn
something new
Teacher teaches well
Improve ESL: Learn every day more
Listen.
Improve ESL: Learn to read
Learn to listen
Understand ESL: Learn more every day ESL:
Learn different sentences
Participate
Teacher teaches well ESL: Learn more every day
Learn to pay attention GED: Attend school every day
Have a goal GED: Do something positive
Accomplish something GED: Pass a test
Learn something new every day GED: Marriage GED:
Understand the subject matter.
Teacher teaches well
Do you connect learning English/GED with your employment goals?
ESL: Get a good job
Go to University
Become an important person ESL: Teachers are examples
for future ESL: Do things I want to do - not depend on
others
Get a good job ESL: Speak English very well ESL:
Become a computer scientist ESL: Become a teacher
Reach the 'American Dream' ESL: Get a good job ESL:
N/A ESL: Have more opportunities ESL Better
opportunities
Better pay ESL: Get a career of choice
GED: Job opportunities GED: Improve job skills GED: Better
job
Better pay GED: Job opportunity
If you have a feeling of success (This is/was a great class). Does that bring you closer to your personal goals? (E.g. Secretary, Nurses Assistant, Receptionist, Beautician, Teacher, College)?
ESL: To achieve my goal I need to learn more English ESL:
I leave school happy ESL: Before I did not know English,
now I am learning very much. I want to go to college ESL: I
like the class, because I want to get a nice job ESL: I
want to learn English to better my way of living ESL: I
want to succeed in life; I want to become a secretary ESL: I
believe I can learn the English I need to become successful and "Reach
the American Dream" ESL: I am very happy with this course ESL: I
want to learn more ESL: This is a good class GED:
I am uncertain about passing all the tests GED: I
have a goal: to get myself a good job
GED: I feel very confident to get the GED before the year 2001 GED:
I know that I can reach my goals: I got accepted at CCRI GED:
I am getting ready for that great job and for college
Do you think that the teacher can give you the 'feeling of success' every day? How? If not, why not?
ESL: Sure! The teacher motivates me to attend the classes ESL:
Of course! The teacher is optimistic, patient and has a lot
of enthusiasm ESL: Sure! The teacher gives us a feeling
of success every day ESL: All these classes are of much
success ESL: The teacher does the best ESL: For
sure, yes. The teacher wants us to do well ESL: Definitively.
The teacher motivates, inspires, and explains the materials well. ESL: Sure.
The teacher motivates me. ESL: The teacher is very efficient:
He/she inspires me, his/her teachings are very clear and he/she knows how
to manage a classroom well GED: If I would have had teachers
like we have in this program, I probably would have stayed in school GED: The
teacher is very good and caring. He/she has given me a lot of confidence
GED: The teachers are great. They listen to each problem
and they understand us GED: All the teachers at PHA are
great. They understand each student, and they help GED: The
teacher does not let us give up. The teacher in the classroom is
the second mother GED: The teachers believe in everything
I do. They do not give up on me. They help in any way they
can.
Describe a good relationship with your teacher.
ESL: The teacher teaches well; is patient and helps everyone equally ESL: The
teacher is good; teaches well; listens to students' problems; respects
the decisions of the students ESL: The teacher does not
engage in arguments; is not difficult; wants his/her students to
reach their goals ESL: Good communication; good teaching,
professional ESL: The teacher explains what I do not understand;
listens to the students; tells us what is expected from us ESL:
The teacher teaches well; gives encouragement; is willing and available
to repeat and explain again; is patient ESL Teacher teaches
well; gives encouragement; has patience ESL: Maintain
mutual respect; to have an open mind
GED: The teacher motivates; helps GED: The teacher
understands the students; is kind and loving GED: The teacher
as my confidante; role model GED: The teacher understands
the students; and helps GED: The teacher cares; wants me
to reach my goals; help
Do you think that the teacher has the same understanding of a good relationship with you? Does the teacher understand you?
ESL: The teacher could have the same opinion ESL: Sometimes
he/she understands me, sometimes not ESL: The teacher
has a different relationship with each student ESL: The
teacher makes an effort to teach us and understand us ESL:
The teacher and the students are like a family ESL: I
cannot say if the teacher is of same opinion ESL: Mutual
respect
GED: Teacher understands me very well GED: Teacher
has a good understanding of me