Blogs

clipart image of red and white striped circus tent

Three Ring Grammar Circus: Past, Present, and Future

February 14, 2018

This activity was adapted from ESL Teacher Alison Hoyer.

Purpose: To give beginning level learners a concrete understanding of different tenses

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Materials Needed: a class set of cards with three different verbs written on them (one verb per card)

Procedure:

Classic Tutor Tip: Conversation Mingle Grid

February 7, 2018

Purpose: To facilitate students speaking to each other, to get to know classmates and to use vocabulary related to the day’s lesson

Prep Time: 3-15 minutes

Materials: copies of the conversation grid (see link below)

Prep:
Version 1: print the grid, write a title on it, and write four questions related to today’s lesson on it, and then make copies of it

Version 2: print the grid, write a title on it and make copies of it

What is the Refugee Experience?

January 30, 2018

Learn about the global refugee experience through three short and engaging videos.

The Refugee Process | Wilmot Collins | TEDxHelena

What is the process that refugees have to go through in settling into the United States? Mr. Wilmot Collins is a refugee from Liberia who was forced to flee the Liberian civil war. Mr. Collins arrived in the United States in 1994, and he now resides in Helena, Montana with his wife, daughter, and son. To Wilmot, the U.S. means a second chance.

The word find in red letters with a magnifying glass leaning up against it

Found Poem

January 24, 2018

Purpose: To help learners practice identifying and reviewing the main information from a reading

Preparation Time: none

Materials Needed: a reading text, highlighters

Procedure:

Share Your Voice: Sophie

January 22, 2018

What is your name? Sophie Liautaud

Where do you volunteer? Open Door Learning Center - Northeast

What is your volunteer role? One-on-one tutor

What is your favorite thing about volunteering? I love seeing students "get" the material. When concepts or vocabulary click with a student, they become thrilled! Being able to be a part of that learning process makes everything worthwhile.

Teacher and adult ESL learner looking into a handheld mirror

Watch Real-Life Pronunciation Lessons!

January 18, 2018

The Minnesota Literacy Council has produced four new videos demonstrating how to teach pronunciation in the adult ESL classroom. Watch the videos to gain teaching techniques and discover activity ideas that can be integrated into regular ESL classes.

Adult learner wearing headphones looking at a computer with a volunteer looking on

Reading Skills for Today's Adults

January 10, 2018

This online reading text repository was designed to create leveled reading selections that are appropriate for and valued by adult learners. These materials, combined with the research-proven strategies of repeated reading and guided oral reading, aid in building learners' fluency and comprehension skills. This project helps adults become better readers and more informed consumers, parents, employees, citizens and community members. The focus of these reading selections includes topics such as: Civics, Employment, Housing, Health, School, Money, and Government.

Snipping Tool, the Most Useful Tool You Didn't Know You Already Had

January 3, 2018

Throughout the years, Microsoft has made a number of "not so helpful" changes to their operating systems , adding Snipping Tool is not one of those changes. Those familar with Jing or Snagit will recognize Snipping Tool as a very easy to use desktop clipping tool. One of the primary differences is that Snipping Tool is already built into your Windows 7 and Window10 system. If you have not used it before, access it by clicking on your Start Button and start typing in Snipping Tool.

New Year's Resolutions

January 2, 2018

3 Writing Activities Using New Year Resolutions for ELLs

New Year resolutions can be a great teaching tool in your writing class. Whether you are teaching a beginning writing class or an advanced composition course in college, you can create lots of engaging activities incorporating the concept of New Year resolutions to help your students develop their writing skills.

http://blog.tesol.org/3-writing-actitivities-using-new-year-resolutions-for-ells/