Blogs

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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

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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.

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What's the Word?

January 23, 2019

Purpose:  This fun and high-energy game helps learners develop their ability to describe words that they don’t remember or haven’t learned yet.

Preparation Time:  None

Materials Needed:  blank slips of paper

Procedure:

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drawing of woman in a red shirt shrugging her shoulders and looking confused

I Don't Know!

January 15, 2019

Purpose:  It can be embarrassing and difficult for learners to admit that they don’t know the answer to a question in class. This activity helps learners to become more comfortable with expressing uncertainty.

Preparation Time:  None

Materials Needed:  None

Procedure:

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More New Year's Resolutions Lessons

December 19, 2018

New Year’s Resolutions

In this lesson, students discuss how they celebrate New Year, and read about some typical celebrations in the UK, as well as looking at New Year’s resolutions and reflecting on what makes a year good or bad.

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/new-years-resolutions

 

New Year’s Resolutions: A Reading and Conversation Lesson for Adults

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ESL teacher helping two learners categorize a set of pictures

New Video! Teaching Literacy Skills to Low Beginning Learners

December 13, 2018

We like to say that if there is something to support ABE instruction that hasn’t been created yet, MN ABE will make it happen! Continuing the amazing history of homegrown Minnesota resources, the Minnesota Literacy Council and ATLAS have responded to requests for ABE CCRS videos with a project that will benefit all ABE teachers, no matter what level of ELA you may teach.

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Three Questions for a VISTA

December 10, 2018

Meet Marina. Marina Mossaad is passionate about equity, volunteerism and systems change. She was born in Egypt and immigrated to the US when she was 5 years old, and after having a transformative VISTA service experience this past year, she is now serving a second year with Open Door Learning Center-Northeast, a program of Minnesota Literacy Council. She is working on strategies to increase adult learner enrollment and retention, diversify the volunteer base and for learners to become volunteers, interns and employees.

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Back-to-Back Conversations

December 6, 2018

Purpose:  This partner activity helps learners to develop listening skills that are necessary for phone calls and other methods of communication that aren’t face-to-face.

Preparation Time:  10 minutes

Materials Needed:  handouts with 3-6 questions written on them (one for each learner)

Procedure:

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Share Your Voice: Abby

December 6, 2018

What is your name? Abby Yates

Where do you volunteer? Cedar Riverside Adult Education Collaborative (CRAEC) and the Minnesota Literacy Council main office

What is your volunteer role? Community Outreach Intern and ESL Classroom Helper

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Class Memory Quiz

November 29, 2018

Purpose:  Help learners improve their listening and recollection skills, as well as practice responding to questions.

Preparation Time:  2 minutes

Materials Needed:  mini-whiteboards, markers, erasers

Procedure:

  1. Generate a list of 2-5 questions that tie into the current class theme.

Example 1:

(Low beginning level class, theme of family)

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