How to Teach Literacy to ESOL Students
Teaching English to ESOL students can be tricky, since it will force the teacher to engage in a practice they did as a baby. However, by keeping the lessons focused and well-paced, you will be able to help your students to learn in an engaging and entertaining manner. English literacy is an important skill for anyone planning to come to an English-speaking country. By providing students with a proper base for the language, you will help them to advance more rapidly.
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Instructions
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Plan the goals of your teaching. For example, if you intend to help the students pass a test, this will shape your teaching. Having an overarching goal will keep your teaching focused. Divide your teaching into sub-goals, so each lesson has a specific aim.
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Divide each lesson into three basic sections. The first part of the lesson should involve you explaining an idea or concept to the students; the second part should allow the students to practice in smaller groups or pairs; and the final section should be interactive classwork where the students reinforce what they know. For example, part one would involve explaining the past tense of verbs in English; the second part would involve them practicing this with one another; and the final part would involve translating a passage from present to past tense as a class. Each new idea should be introduced in this format.
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Set aside time for presentations. For example, Monday could see three of the students give a presentation in English about a newspaper article or a book of their choice. The length of the presentation should depending on the level of the students. Have students ask questions of the presenters in English to help with comprehension.
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Give the students English-language newspapers to read for homework. This can be tailored to their specific interests. If they are interested in soccer, give them an article about a soccer player. This will teach them formal written English and will keep them interested.
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Organize for them to have an English-speaking pen pal. If you have a connection with an English-speaking school, have them write to your pupils. Your pupils can then learn to read and write English, and learn about life in English-speaking countries. Help them address specific concerns about their English.
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References
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