D.+Literacy+and+ESL

=Literacy and English as a Second Language=

Overview:
This page provides both teachers and parents with resources for promoting literacy.

Monthly Newsletter:






Learner Differences vs. Learning Difficulties:
It is important to remember that all students have different learning needs. We all have learning preferences and styles. The case is no different with English Language Learners, whose native cultural environments may differ greatly from the culture of the American school system. These differences may cause discrepancies between ability and performance in school.

Learning disabilities are different from learner differences in that they are diagnosed limitations of students in specific areas, such as reading, listening, mathematics, etc. Students with learning disabilities are allowed additional help and modifications in school. Please do not assume that because a student is not performing at their ability level that he/she has a learning disability. Instead, provide additional supports and differentiated instruction to each student to best match a student's learning style. Should a student continue to have difficulty learning, request an S-team through your school's special education coordinator.

Resources for Oral Language and Literacy Development for Second Language Acquisition:

 * Oral Language Development In Second Language Acquisition
 * (PDF Document produced by Pearson Higher Ed.)
 * Understanding English Language Learners' Needs and the Language Acquisition Process
 * (PDF Document produced by the National Institute for Urban School Improvement)

Teaching Tools:
Here are some great websites to locate ESL tools, tricks, and tips for teachers!
 * ESL Galaxy
 * ESL Flow
 * ESL Monkeys
 * Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day: for teaching ESL, ELL, and EFL

Informational Articles:

 * Universal Grammar in Second Language Acquisition: The Nature of Interlanguage Representation by Lydia White (1998)
 * Researching English Language and Literacy Development in Schools by Margaret R. Hawkins (2004)

Suggested Children's Literature:
Middle/High School:



//When I Grow Up//, written by Jessica Loy, describes various professions available in the Unites States. The book features lots of pictures but also offers detailed job descriptions for each occupation, including the types of skills required for the job and why they are important.

Click here for a review of the book.