English as a Second Language
English as a Second Language is a program of instruction designed for adults who are limited English proficient and whose primary language is not English. Training workshops for teachers are available at the Arkansas Adult Learning Resource Center.
Training
ESL Basics: An Overview for ESL Teachers
Teachers in the ESL classroom have many questions about appropriate teaching methods, materials, and classroom management. Day 1 of this three-day workshop will cover principles of language learning and teaching, assessing learner's needs, and ESL lesson planning. Days 2 and 3 will cover techniques and materials for teaching listening, speaking, reading, and writing at various levels. Participants will become familiar with many ESL materials. Between the sessions, participants will observe an ESL classroom and practice designing an ESL lesson plan.
Participants will learn to:
- Identify the factors that affect second language learning
- Design an effective ESL needs assessment
- Identify the NRS levels of adult language learners
- Identify the differences between structural and communicative language teaching
- Identify the four stages of an effective ESL lesson plan
Participants will learn to:
- Select and use appropriate ESL materials for teaching listening and speaking skills
- Plan ESL listening and speaking lessons
- Use dialogs to help students develop speaking skills
Participants will learn to:
- Use various grouping strategies to help students practice conversational skills
- Select appropriate ESL materials for teaching reading and writing skills and use them successfully
- Plan ESL reading and writing activities
- Identify professional development and career opportunities for adult ESL instructors
This workshop is appropriate for both new and experienced ESL teachers. Participants are expected to attend all three days of the workshop and will receive 18 hours of professional development.
ESL Summer Institute - The Institute is a 4-5 day intensive training for ESL instructors. Keith Folse, Sharron Bassano, Laurel Pollard, Kevin Keating, and Gail Weinstein have been among the presenters for the Institute.
Assessment
BEST Plus
http://www.cal.org/topics/ta/best-plus.html
BEST Literacy
http://www.cal.org/aea/
Professional Organizations
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc.
http://www.tesol.org/s_tesol/index.asp
Arkansas Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc.
http://arktesol.org/
Online & Classroom Resources
Arkansas Department of Career Education, Adult Education Division
Arkansas ESL Curriculum Guidelines
Center for Adult Education Language Acquisition
Jan's Illustrated Computer Literacy in English and Spanish Â
EL/Civics Online
English for All
USA Learns
U.S. Citizenship & Immigration and Services
Arkansas is a member of LINCS (Literacy Information aNd Communication Systems) which provides a Regional and National network of electronic support for Adult Education and Literacy. Arkansas is part of the Southern LINCS consortium. Click on the buttons below to search for resources outside of Arkansas.
Funded by the Arkansas Department of Career Education, Adult Education Division
