AN INTRODUCTION TO TEACHING ADULTS is a staff development program for adult educators. The video entitled “Knowing Your Adult Students and Meeting Their Needs” introduces teachers to various types of adult literacy programs and the diverse populations they serve. A second video, “Mandated Attendance: Making It Work,” addresses the special challenges of teaching adults whose attendance has been mandated by social, human service, or criminal justice agencies. A unique perspective is provided by an adult education teacher who herself was previously mandated to attend an educational program as a result of receiving public assistance. A third unit in this series on learning styles is currently in production. The series is being produced by Albany Educational Television in concert with the Hudson River Center for Program Development, Inc. (518/432-4005).

READING TO CHILDREN
Produced by the New York City Board of Education, Reading to Children is an engaging videotape shot on location, demonstrating various ways parents can read to their children. Through this shared experience, children are encouraged to become readers themselves, breaking the cycle of illiteracy. Printed material provides direction in reading to children and delineates the many benefits of such efforts. This package is available through Albany Educational Television (518/462-7292 ext.20).

HEALTH PROMOTION FOR ADULT LITERACY STUDENTS: AN EMPOWERING APPROACH is an instructional package which will help involve students in health issues. Among the topics addressed in the series is nutrition, first aid, health insurance, health care resources, exercise, alcohol and other drugs, child safety, and women's health issues. Each topic includes an instructional guide, a student workbook and an audiotape to be used with the workbook. A staff development video gives an overview of this series developed specifically for adult learners. This package has been produced by the Hudson River Center for Program Development, Inc. and is available through Albany Educational Television (518/462-7292 ext. 20).

The CROSSROADS CAFE ENGLISH LEARNING PROGRAM consists of videotapes with learner worktexts, photostories, teacher manuals, and partner guides. The series is designed to teach English to adult learners working independently, with a tutor, in a distance-learning program with or without a classroom component, or in a traditional classroom setting. The lively 26-episode series provides education through entertainment. It is a blend of drama and comedy that tells the story of six engaging, determined characters whose lives intersect at Crossroads Cafe, a neighborhood restaurant. Each half-hour episode features two brief interrupting segments that teach language and culture. The Culture Clips are documentary-style segments that focus on issue-oriented cultural themes portrayed in the episode, such as the changing roles of marriage partners. The Word Play segments focus on language functions, demonstrating how to use appropriate language when communicating specific types of information.

If you are interested in learning more about the Crossroads Cafe videos and printed materials, or would like a viewing schedule of the PBS affiliates, contact the New York State Education Department, Office of Workforce Preparation and Continuing Education at (518) 474-8920.