This webinar, from July 15, 2009, features staff from the Spring Institute and the Rocky Mountain Survivors Center.
It is part of the National Capacity Building (NCB) webinar series. NCB is a project of the Center for Victims of Torture.
Description:
This webinar is intended for ESL providers. It focuses on the use of ESL as a tool to help better the mental health of torture survivors. However, this webinar is not intended to aid ESL providers in diagnosing students. Rather, it stresses the opportunities for community involvement found through both the ESL classroom experience and the ability to better relate to English speaking neighbors and colleagues. Also, it stresses the empowerment found in the ability to use English during a new activity. The unique classroom needs of torture survivors are discussed as well. For example, while some students can readily stabilize their physical and emotional agitation, facilitating learning, torture survivors often oscillate between extreme highs and lows and have a difficult time concentrating. Finally, a case study from the Rocky Mountain Survivor Center is covered, which includes specific examples of activities and classroom expectations best suited for torture survivors.
The Spring Institute has many other interesting and helpful publications as well, including Mental Health of Refugee Children and Refugee Children with Low Literacy Skills or Interrupted Education.
As a technical assistance provider through the Office of Refugee Resettlement, The Spring Institute is also available as a resource to answer questions on the information presented in this Webinar, language, and intercultural issues. They may be contacted at:
- Phone: (303) 863-0188
- Fax: (303) 863-0178
- E-mail: [email protected]
Attachments:
- Cultural_Adjustment_Mental_Health_and_ESL.pdf
- A very helpful resource that includes information on the connection between ESL and mental health. It is written for ESL teachers and, as it states in the book, “It is not meant to turn ESL providers into therapists or mental health specialists” but it suggests ESL activities to address mental health issues.
- PowerPoint_ESL_as_a_Mental_Health_Intervention_webinar.pdf