Seminar Topic: Online content-based instruction

Introduction
Teaching English for specific purposes has been around for some time, especially where learners have to apprehend a certain vocabulary to help them to work or pass examinations. Content-based instruction is somewhat newer though the principles are the same as ESP (English for Specific Purposes). Some universities have introduced content-based instruction for students who have English as a second language but need to learn academic English in order to pass the subject they are studying. CSULA has for example, recently initiated a limited program of content-based instruction in the business studies department in an attempt to reduce the attrition rate in first year students. Acquiring high standards of academic English simultaneously with subject matter such as business, can be overwhelming and disheartening for some students.

My intention is to develop a series of 5 sessions modelled on the Grabe & Stoller (1997) 6 'T's curriculum design (Theme: Topics, Texts, Threads, Tasks and Transitions). This way of organizing a module is innovative and as I have not seen a content-based module using e-learning techniques for online delivery, this is going to be a real learning challenge for me.

Background
In ESL (English Second Language) teaching, content-based instruction is becoming more popular as students, especially those study business, wish the economies that dual instruction brings (i.e. business & English content). Business+English content ESL instruction is still relatively rare however and, as far as I can see, the application of e-learning techniques to this combination has not yet been explored.

References
Grabe, W., & Stoller, F. L. (1997). Content-based instruction: Research foundation. In M. A. Snow & D. M. Brinton (Eds.), The content-based classroom: Perspectives in integrating language and content (pp. 5-21). White Plains, NY: Longman.

Kinsella, K. (1997). Moving from comprehensible input to "learning to learn" in content-based instruction. In M. A. Snow & D. M. Brinton (Eds.), The content-based classroom: Perspectives in integrating language and content (pp. 5-21). White Plains, NY: Longman.