Unit 2 – Full time Coordinators in ESL

Full time Coordinators in ESL (English as a Second Language) Services

Unit 2 comprises several key coordinator positions that serve the students and instructional staff in ESL Services. These positions comprise academic and administrative roles and the three groupings described below make a vital contribution to ESL Services (and ultimately to the university itself). Each language skill (Reading, Writing, Listening, Grammar, and Speaking) has a corresponding Academic Coordinator who oversees the curriculum development and delivery of their respective skill courses. These courses comprise both the Intensive English Language Program and other specialty programs within ESL Services. On the administrative side are the 2 pivotal positions of Student Engagement Coordinator and Housing Coordinator; the former serves the extracurricular needs of students while the latter provides and maintains homestay placements for those students who elect to live with local families during their language studies.

Academic Coordinators

Academic coordinators are responsible for the curriculum of their particular skill area. This entails maintaining and revising curriculum documentation for our core multi-level program (IELP) with a view to providing relevant learning outcomes, appropriate textbook selections, and syllabus delivery guidance. In addition, as new programs are initiated, academic coordinators plan and implement specialized curriculum and provide materials support. Working in conjunction with administrative/student services, they also develop academic themes as skills context for academic trips and activities. Academic coordinators also design and maintain Sakai skill sites that house course syllabi and all other course documentation while providing the administrative tools for instructors to teach their classes; included here are teaching materials, lesson plans, and Gradebook assessment records. Academic coordinators also perform the administrative role of helping determine academic policies. Finally, another vital function academic coordinators perform is mentorship. By providing general pedagogical guidance and specific syllabus delivery guidance, coordinators are able engage and consult with instructors throughout the program(s). The fostering of these relationships builds professional development opportunities and binds us to our principle goal of preparing students for future success in Brock University degree programs.

Communications & Student Engagement Coordinator

The Communications & Student Engagement Coordinator orchestrates orientation and closing ceremonies and in this regard is tasked with providing vital first impressions to our students. The orientation sessions in particular help to ease student stress and provide the information

necessary for successfully navigating the university and local communities. Central to this role is also the planning and organizing of student activities for our multiple programs. This work involves presiding over activity budgets, booking activity venues, providing for transportation, and handling all associated logistics. The Student Engagement Coordinator also provides maintenance for the ESL Services website and routinely communicates with a variety of stakeholders. With these multiple initiatives students are supported and encouraged in their studies and are given many productive opportunities to enhance their international experience.

Housing Coordinator

The 3rd arm of Unit 2 is the role of Housing Coordinator. The Housing Coordinator is responsible for all homestay accommodations for ESL students. Many students benefit greatly from sharing their culture with regular Canadian families. By recruiting and providing orientation to interested Canadian families, the Housing Coordinator brings families and students together who are well suited to mutually benefit from such cross-cultural opportunities. This is a challenging position and requires empathy and diplomacy to ensure positive and fruitful home life experiences. Many duties undergird this principle goal, from disseminating information and administering homestay applications and surveys to problem solving and stakeholder outreach.