Crombie shared the process followed by volunteers at the UBC Learning Exchange this past winter during a pilot project to create new ESL Conversation books. He also outlined the template developed and used by Learning Exchange volunteers to write the new lessons. Crombie emphasized the transferability of this template: “Anybody can do it. The format is set, but the book is flexible.”
Carnegie volunteers were enthusiastic about the books created at the Learning Exchange. “This is great”, one volunteer commented, “And we shouldn’t try to reinvent the wheel. We can use these!”
Crombie invited those at the workshop to brainstorm topics they might like to develop as a new ESL lesson. Some of the topics generated were family, public transportation, fire drills, and the Carnegie. Breaking up into small work groups, the tutors used the Learning Exchange’s framework to draft two new lessons on fire drills at the Carnegie and attending meetings at the Carnegie. By the end of the workshop, participants were discussing the exciting possibility of working together to write their own ESL book for use at the Carnegie. This book might include additional lessons on Carnegie’s history, the library, the cafeteria, the Learning Centre, the surrounding neighbourhood, and ongoing activities.
