GECO's Demographics
This page provides general information concerning GECO, as well as a context for the class and how it fits into the MA/TESL program. I created this document for our program's new student orientation meeting at the beginning of the 2014 fall semester.
What is GECO?
Gonzaga ESL Community Outreach is a free ESL class offered
to the Spokane community to anyone who wants to improve their English language
skills.
Who attends GECO?
Most participants who attend GECO are local immigrants and
refugees from various countries around the world. Looking at past classes, GECO
has a concentration of participants from Vietnam, Thailand, Latin America,
China, and the Middle East. The number of years these people have been in
Spokane, let alone America, vary from a few weeks to 20 or more years.
Nonetheless, this class offers an opportunity for them to improve their English
no matter how long they have lived in this country or what their skill level
may be.
Who teaches GECO?
Graduate students of the MA/TESL and PCMI program teach this
class. It has now become a requirement of both programs for first and second
year students to teach a specific number of classes. All first year students are required to teach four times each semester,
for a total of eight times for the academic
year. Second year students are
required to teach two times each
semester, for a total of four times
for the academic year.
When is GECO?
GECO is taught on Mondays and Thursdays from 3pm to 4:30pm.
Where is GECO taught?
GECO is taught in room 017, downstairs in Schoenberg, also
known as the “fishbowl”.
Why teach GECO?
GECO is a great teaching opportunity for graduate students
looking for teaching experience. There is much freedom within the teaching of
the class, which allows for creative innovation to be used at any time. With
this freedom also comes the challenge of creating your own lesson plan for the
class, based on the multilevel English skills of the participants. Participants
who attend this class come with a wide range of English skills, which
encourages teachers to think with breadth and depth when creating lessons.
Attendance also fluctuates, so teachers must always be prepared for a classroom
of 10 as well as a classroom of 1. Despite its challenges, teaching GECO is an
optimal opportunity for you to put what you learn in the classroom into
practice! What students truly glean from teaching GECO is the ability to be
flexible and creative. These are traits all teachers must have, especially when
working in this field. This class is especially helpful for PCMI students who
will be put into similar situations and may need to think quickly on their
feet. Finally, there is the opportunity to look into the lives of the
participants, get to know them personally, learn about their culture, and help
them gain confidence in their English abilities.
Please contact me with any questions you may have about
GECO!
Brittany Dortch bdortch@zagmail.gonzaga.edu
GECO email gecoclass@gmail.com