In conclusion, many of the strategies and approaches discussed in the tutor training workshop will also work well with ESL Literacy learners. For example:

  • TPR has been successfully used with literacy learners.
  • The Language Experience Approach is valuable when used with literacy learners who have some oral skills in English. Using LEA reinforces the connection between written and spoken language.
  • Word families can also be used to teach sound patterns (once the learner sees the connection between the written word and the object it represents.)

Additional Sources

Adelson- Goldstein, Jayme. Listen First: Focused Listening Tasks for Beginners. New York: Oxford University Press, 1991.

The student book has 10 units based on life-skills. Lessons are task-based and help learners build vocabulary.
The teacher's book has notes for each activity, including pre-listening and follow-up activities. The tapescript and an answer key are also included.

Burnett, Kathy. Hands On! A Collection of ESL Literacy Activities. Halifax, Nova Scotia: Halifax Immigrant Learning Centre, 1998.

This is a good resource for those who are teaching preliterate or nonliterate learners. The book is set up to assist the learner in vocabulary development and to increase basic literacy skills. Each section is set up with a general learning objective, specific goals and a multitude of different lesson plan ideas. All the materials are included.

Topics for the lessons include:

  • The alphabet (upper and lower case letters; using a pencil and forming letters)
  • Numeracy (numbers from 1 to 100)
  • Dates (days of the week, months of the year and the seasons; asking and responding to questions)
  • Responding to personal information (such as name, address, telephone number etc.)
  • Money (Canadian coins, adding and subtracting, vocabulary associated with making purchases)
  • Time (asking for and telling the time)