Miami, Florida 33199

305 348-2078, dwyere@fiu.edu

RE: a) new set up with FIU Language Education, and b) questionnaire

Hello:

My name is Eric Dwyer, and I’m the new program leader in the fields of Modern Language Education and TESOL here at FIU. As you may already know, we’ve undergone numerous changes here in the College of Education. One such change is the combination of elementary and secondary education departments into one single Curriculum and Instruction department. Dr. Mohammed Farouk has been named the chair of this department, and I’m really excited about having him there. Another such change is that TESOL and Modern Language Education programs now operate within the same department. As a result, language education faculty here on campus may work with each other more closely. Already in the first month of this change, it is clear to me that work here at FIU is much more effective and much more fun.

In my discussions with Dr. Farouk, it is clear that we would like a stronger relationship between the public schools and our language education programs. As a result, I was wondering if I could ask you to fill out this short questionnaire for me. If you’re indeed interested in sending me back some feedback, you may return it by post or email to the appropriate addresses above. I am also posting this questionnaire on my website at www.fiu.edu/~mle/questionnaire.html. We’re not able to do a form on line just yet, so if you’re interested in using this, please copy it into an email message and fill in the blanks there, sending it to my email address. I would be incredibly grateful.

There are four sections to the questionnaire, but more than likely you won’t have to fill out all four of them. I would however, if I could, like to ask you to be sure and fill out Part IV. Please know that answering of any question is optional. Also, we may be interested in compiling this data for research purposes, but we’d like you to know that we promise that all information contained will be maintained as confidential and will not be released publicly under your name or the name of the school. If you would prefer that we not include your data in any research, please indicate in the space provided.

You’re certainly invited to look at our web sites: www.fiu.edu/~tesol and www.fiu.edu/~mle. Your input on how we conduct language education programs here is valuable. As a result, if you’re interested in chatting with me over any of these issues, please feel invited to contact me either at 305 348-2078 or dwyere@fiu.edu. I would look forward to such conversations. I’m tremendously grateful for the time spent on this. Hopefully, it will help all of us in all our different language programs. I look forward to your input.

Sincerely,

Eric S Dwyer, PhD

Program Leader, Modern Language Education

esd; Cc: Dr Mohammed Farouk, department chair, Curriculum & Instruction, FIU

____ Please check here if this applies: We are happy to participate in this questionnaire, but we respectfully would prefer that our data not be included in any research compilations.

Part I.

Does your school provide an ESOL program? Yes __ No __

If yes, please answer the following questions:

What levels are taught? _____ In what grades is ESOL taught at your school? _____

How many students participate? ____ How many teachers participate? ____

What terminology describes your program (e.g., transitional, pull-out, etc.) _____________________

How many ESOL teachers at your school have Florida ESOL Endorsement? ____

How many teachers of any field (other than ESOL) at your school have Florida ESOL Endorsement? ___

How many ESOL teachers at your school have Florida ESOL Certification? ____

How many teachers of any field (other than ESOL) at your school have Florida ESOL Certification?

How many ESOL teachers at your school have a Master’s in TESOL? ___

How many teachers of any field (other than ESOL) at your school have a Master’s in TESOL? ___

How many ESOL teachers at your school hold a degree in TESOL higher than a Master’s degree? ____

How many teachers of any field (other than ESOL) at your school hold a degree in TESOL higher than a Master’s degree? ____

How many teachers in your school are National Board Certified in TESOL? ___

How many ESOL teachers in your school have clinical education training? ___

Part II.

Does your school provide a foreign language program? Yes __ No __

If yes, please answer the following questions:

What proficiency levels are taught at your school? _____

In what grades are foreign language courses conducted? __________

How many students participate? ____

How many teachers participate? ____

What terminology describes your program (e.g., international baccalaureate, magnet, etc.)? _____________________

How many foreign language teachers at your school have Florida Certification in the language they teach?

How many foreign language teachers at your school have Florida ESOL Endorsement? ____

How many ESOL teachers at your school have Florida Certification in a language other than English? ____

How many teachers of any field (other than foreign languages) at your school have Florida Certification in the foreign language they teach? ____

How many foreign language teachers at your school have a Master’s in Foreign Language Education? ___

How many teachers of any field (other than language education) at your school have a Master’s in Foreign Language Education? ___

How many foreign language teachers at your school hold a degree in Foreign Language Education higher than a Master’s degree? ____

How many teachers of any field (other than language education) at your school hold a degree in Foreign Language Education higher than a Master’s degree? ____

How many teachers in your school are National Board Certified in teaching a foreign language? ___

How many foreign language teachers in your school have clinical education training? ___

How many books in the following languages do you have in your library and/or classroom bookshelves?

Spanish ____ Haitian Creole ____ French ____ Portuguese _____ other _____

If other, please list the languages represented:

Part III.

Does your school provide a bilingual program? Yes __ No __

If yes, please answer the following questions:

What are the two languages conducted at your institution? __________________________

How many students participate? ____

How many teachers participate? ____

Do native English speakers participate in your program? Yes __ No __

What percentage of the coursework is taught in English? ___

What percentage of the coursework is taught in the non-English language? ___

How many teachers in your bilingual program have Florida Certification in the foreign language in which they teach? ___

How many teachers in your bilingual program have Florida ESOL Endorsement? ____

How many teachers in your bilingual program have a Master’s in Foreign Language Education, TESOL, or similar field? ___

How many teachers in your bilingual program hold a degree in Foreign Language Education, TESOL, or similar field higher than a Master’s degree? ____

How many teachers in your school are National Board Certified in teaching ESOL, a foreign language, or bilingual education? ___

How many teachers in your bilingual program have clinical education training? ___

Part IV.

Please check areas in which you and/or your teachers would be interested regarding any of the following possible offerings from FIU:

___ interns and/or student interns coming FIU language education programs

___ lectures or presentations conducted by FIU faculty

___ helping currently hired teachers achieve endorsement and/or certification

___ helping currently hired teachers achieve a Master’s degree

___ helping currently hired teachers achieve National Board recognition

___ research conducted at your school

___ joint courses between FIU (e.g., FIU Methods courses taught at your

school with your students as FIU teacher candidates sit in and then help

teach the course taught by your teacher in concert with the FIU professor

___ professional development workshops in TESOL conducted by FIU faculty

___ professional development workshops in foreign language teaching conducted by FIU faculty

___ professional development workshops, speeches, or lectures given by nationally known experts in the field

If so, please name the language of concentration _________________

What is the name of your school? ___________________________________________________

What is the address? _____________________________________________________________

What is the phone number? ________________________________________________________

Who would be the contact people we could be in touch with concerning any of these issues?

Finally , is there any thing else you would like us to know about regarding your language education programs?