Cali Pettijohn’s advanced listening class experienced local culture in a hands-on way. Students completed their English Language Institute course by visiting Urban Roots Farm.
The 8-week course included intensive and extensive listening skills. Intensive skills include noticing grammar, expressions, reduced sounds, and vocabulary. Extensive skills capture main ideas and comprehension.
Pettijohn provides a subject theme to guide her class to learning facets of US culture. The theme of urban farming framed in-class lessons. These discussions carried the first 7 weeks of the course.
The visit to a real urban farm in the heart of Springfield is important to learning. It gives context and meaning to classroom discussion. Experiencing local culture is an opportunity to engage in the Springfield community.