Tag Archives: Low-level ESOL
Checklists for Teaching Writing in Low-Level ESOL Classes
Teacher’s Checklist PRE-WRITE ü a. Have students practiced the language necessary to complete the writing task? b. Have students thought/talked about what they are going to write? WRITE ü c. Is there a model of the format? (letter, paragraph, sentences) d. Is there model language students can refer …
Semester Start Up: Time to Study!
Many of our adult learners haven’t developed effective study habits, and yet, we know a student’s ability to study largely determines his or her educational success. So how do we get our students to develop effective study habits? The Class Conversation Start by asking students about their study habits. You may be …
The Multilevel Teacher: Creating a Common Classroom Experience
As educators, we know how to differentiate instruction one student at a time, but how do we differentiate instruction for a whole classroom of students at once? And how do we maintain cohesion in a classroom with so many moving parts? A Common Classroom Experience In our digital age, the classroom presents a unique opportunity …
Building Better Learners: The Teacher’s Worksheet
These are questions to consider as you plan your class for the next academic year. Any of these questions would serve as an interesting staff development conversation. Setting Goals · What are my students’ goals in coming to English class? · How do I find out about their goals? · How do I model goal …
Eight Great Reading Fluency Activities
According to the National Reading Panel, the four components of reading are: comprehension, vocabulary, fluency and alphabetics. As ESOL teachers we know how to teach vocabulary and comprehension, but fluency and alphabetics are terra incognita. So here, I introduce four classics and four more contemporary activities that focus on specific skill development in reading …
Dictation with Word Families
Sometimes I use dictation to help students focus on spelling and sound patterns in English. This is one variation. Word Family Dictation: 1. I draw two columns on the board and write a word family at the top of each column. Students copy the columns on paper. 2. I say a word and …
Flashcards
Flashcards are a great way to study new words, but students don’t always know how to use them. Here are classroom systems and activities I have used to get my students learning with flashcards.
Asking the Right Questions: WHAT are you learning?
What is the difference between asking students “What are you doing?” and “What are you learning?” The difference is in the answer.
Making Connections in Reading
Researchers have long said that effective readers make connections. Good readers connect what they are reading to their own lives, to the world, and to other texts.
