[LM_NET] HIT: adult ESL recommendations

[Ann Marie Gordon <agordon@LIVONIACSD.ORG>]

Here's the original request:
I have a request from a teacher who works with adults who are learning
English and learning to read at the same time.  (They do not read in
their primary language, either.)  She doesn't wish to start them on
books that are obviously for young children, but at the same time, is
hoping to find things at a fairly low reading level--perhaps at a second
grade level.  Does anyone have any suggestions for this teacher?  

Here are the responses.  Thanks--as always--for the help!

Hi! Our MS ESL teacher uses a series called Shining Star. Apparently
there are some really great, high interest books on an elementary
reading level.

If my memory serves me right, Raintree-Steck-Vaughn Publishing used to
and may still have a rather extensive line of high-school and adult
oriented beginning reader materials in affordable paperback form.

My humble suggestions: first, assess their oral English language and
work towards an ability to tell the stories of their lives or their own
cultures. Sometimes their life stories can be really amazing and also
frightening. When they can express their story in English, then I would
write it down - thus making the connection between the spoken and the
written word. I feel that If they have a vested interest in reading,
i.e. it's their own story, then they will develop an interest in reading
those written words.  As for books, I would also choose to go the back
door route of finding beginning reading books that they could read to
children who are also new readers.  There are a number of Step into
Reading books that deal with topics of interest within the framework of
a limited vocabulary.  For me it seems that the connection must be made
between spoken and written language, but that first the students need to
speak some English.  






Anne-Marie Gordon 
agordon@livoniacsd.org
Library Media Specialist
National Board Certified Teacher
Livonia Primary School, Livonia, NY
www.livoniacsd.org/class_webs/agordon
http://squareone.pbwiki.com

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