In the advanced and intermediate level ESOL classes, students are reading and interpreting literary classics by famous playwrights and authors including Geoffrey Chaucer and Shakespeare. For their final Summer Term projects, students will prepare a visual and oral presentation associated with their studies.
In the high-beginner class, students kicked off the second session with an introduction to Greek mythology—specifically gods and the origin of seasons through the myth of Hades and Persephone.
Through their studies, they are increasing their English word vocabulary and reading comprehension. As a final project, the class will perform scenes from Demeter and Persephone. To prepare, they are delving into their assigned characters, summarizing the content, and rewriting the play in their own words.
In the intermediate class, students’ are focused on the The Canterbury Tales as they progress toward presenting their interpretation of a Tale as a final project. To prepare, the group put together a rough timeline of the Middle Ages to familiarize themselves with the time period and establish a mental context for their studies.
In the Renaissance Literature ESOL class, students are working in pairs to rewrite select scenes from A Midsummer Night’s Dream to be more modern. For their final project, they will create a photo essay in video form, featuring their rewritten script as the narration.
To further their vocabulary and knowledge of the English language and culture, many Summer Term ESOL students have also elected to participate in a weeklong Art and Literature class, taught by Ross World Languages and Literature teacher Susan Walker and ESOL instructor Giullia Beccarelli. The group is currently reading and translating To Kill a Mocking Bird by Pulitzer Prize winner Harper Lee. Each week, students also produce related artwork and mini books based on their interpretation of the novels.
