| ESOL is built on a foundation of mutual respect and intercultural understanding. |
| The diversity of the learners' cultural and linguistic backgrounds and their past experiences provides a valuable resource to the classroom and the larger community. In New York State, ESOL students come from at least 130 primary language backgrounds; the richness of their culture and experience is a valuable resource and should be incorporated into the learning experience. In the ESOL class, English is the common focus which brings a diverse population together. Since everyday needs determine learning goals, routine and ordinary communications become the medium for class lessons. Understanding and communicating effectively are the ultimate goals, while humor and sharing of experiences play important roles. |
| Learner information, abilities, and needs determine instruction. |
| As soon as possible, those responsible for intake, whether office staff or ESOL teachers (assisted when necessary by someone who speaks the learner's native language), should interview and assess a learner. This is done to find out personal information, work history, previous education, native language literacy, languages spoken, health and emergency information, as well as short- and long-term goals. This face-to-face interview also allows for communicative ability and functional English reading and writing skills to be assessed in a real situation. |
| Previous experience and learning styles affect learning. |
| ESOL students who are non-literate in their native languages differ significantly from their literate counterparts. Therefore, efficient teaching approaches are needed. For non-literate students, even greater initial emphasis should be placed on listening and understanding, recognizing survival sight vocabulary, and communicating or requesting basic information. Educated professionals, on the other hand, can draw on their previous educational experiences and skills and will undoubtedly progress at a different rate from those who have had little or no educational experience. |
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