Blogs

the numbers one, two, and three in colored blocks

1, 2, 3, Speak!

March 27, 2019

Purpose:  Free speaking can be challenging for learners of all levels. This activity helps learners to develop comfort with speaking for longer periods, and to improve their ability to add details and information to a story.

Preparation Time:  None

Materials Needed:  None

Procedure:

Read more
hand holding a green and white flyswatter against a white background

The Flyswatter Game

March 18, 2019

This activity is a staff and volunteer favorite!

 

Purpose:  to help learners build their skimming and sight word recognition skills

Preparation Time:  5 minutes

Materials Needed:  two flyswatters

Procedure:

Read more
question mark made out of multi-colored post-it notes

Tense Questions

March 11, 2019

Purpose:  to get learners comfortable with asking and answering basic questions using a variety of verb tenses

Preparation Time:  None

Materials Needed:  sets of grammar tense questions and answers cards, cut apart

Procedure:

Read more
black chalkboard with the words what where how why when and who written on it with a question mark in the middle

Ask Me a Question!

March 5, 2019

Purpose:  to get learners comfortable with asking and answering basic conversation questions while building an awareness of wh- question words.

Preparation Time:  None

Materials Needed:  Sets of Wh- Questions and answers cards, cut apart

Procedure:

Read more
hands holding a notebook and a pen

Walk n' Talk Bingo

February 26, 2019

Purpose:  a fun and active way to talk about vocabulary.

Preparation Time:  None

Materials Needed:  scratch paper

Procedure:

Read more
row of five pastel colored question marks

Question Line-Up

February 19, 2019

Purpose:  This structured speaking activity gives learners the chance to practice asking and answering questions. The repetition that the activity provides builds comfort with the language, as well as confidence and fluency.  

Preparation Time:  None

Materials Needed:  1-6 prepared questions

Procedure:

Read more
hands holding up a true and a false card

Show Me True/False

February 13, 2019

Purpose:  This silent activity gives learners a chance to develop their listening skills. It is helpful for learners who are not comfortable sharing answers aloud in class develop confidence in their listening abilities.

Preparation Time:  None

Materials Needed:  True/False cards for the class

Procedure:

Read more

Meet VISTA Alum Laura Linder Scholer

February 7, 2019

Laura Linder Scholer served with the Minnesota Literacy Council in 2011-2012 at ThreeSixty Journalism and as the VISTA Leader in 2012-2013. Laura now works as the Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Coordinator for the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. We had the opportunity to ask Laura about her VISTA experience and why the Alum Circle is important to her. Read more below!

Read more
a blue and red image of a brain within a light bulb

Introduction to TPR (Total Physical Response)

February 6, 2019

Purpose:  Total Physical Response (TPR) is a method of teaching that connects language with physical movement. Movement in language learning is an excellent way to boost memory. This listening activity helps to build learners’ understanding of language, and allows them to demonstrate understanding in a physical and low-pressure manner. Movement in the classroom also contributes to lowering learner stress levels.

Preparation Time:  None

Materials Needed:  A list of 4-8 movement-based commands

Read more
adult ESL teacher leaning over a table to help two ESL learners who are looking at a picture in a book

New Video: Teaching Reading Standards with Beginning Level ESL Students

January 30, 2019

In the third and final video of the CCRS in the ABE Classroom series, Dan Bruski of Hopkins ABE skillfully integrates a variety of teaching standards into his beginning level ESL class. During the lesson, learners work on strengthening their vocabulary, developing grammar and critical thinking skills, and using language in a communicative context.

Read more

Pages

   

Subscribe to Blogs