Course 4: Tools and Best Practices for Working with Literacy Learners

Topic outline

• Course 4: Tools and Best Practices for Working with Literacy Learners
  
  

  Course 4: Tools and Best Practices for Working with Literacy Learners

  Please note, forum discussions for this Moodle course are not moderated.
  

  Goals:

  • Apply Best Practices in ESL Literacy instruction to own teaching context
    
  • Apply CLB: ESL for ALL to own teaching context
  • Apply CATK Toolkit to own teaching context

  Outcomes:

  • Able to identify Adult ESL Literacy learner needs through Needs Assessment activities
    
  • Able to use technology to support learning (DT is no longer optional)
    
  • Able to support ESL Literacy learners in a mainstream ESL classroom (strategies)
    
  • Able to select, design, and deconstruct a CLB aligned real-life-focused task
    
  • Able to select, design, and adapt assessment tools
    
  • Able to design own resources
    
  • Able to access support available online
    

  • News forum (forums are not moderated)
• Module 4.1 - Adult ESL Literacy Best Practices: Approaches, Strategies, and Techniques.
  
  

  Module 4.1 - Adult ESL Literacy Best Practices: Approaches, Strategies, and Techniques.

  By the end of this module, you will have identified and applied context specific differences and strategies to support Adult Literacy learners in designated as well as mainstream, mixed-ability classes.

  • Resources Folder

    CLB: ESL for ALL (CCLB, 2015)
    CLB: ESL for Adults (CCLB, 2012)
    Learning for Life: an ESL Literacy Handbook (BVC, 2009)

  • Getting to Know the Learners: Needs Assessment and Self-Discovery Activities. Book

    

    Three streams of learners. 
    Ten instructional strategies.

    ! For convenience, the entire booklet or individual chapters can be printed by using the print icon in the Administration block on the left. 
    

  • Task 1. Adult ESL Literacy Learners: Some Distinctions Forum

    Choose one characteristic from the chart on p. 6 (CLB: ESL for ALL)  to identify and discuss additional supports and scaffolding you may need to provide to an adult ESL Literacy learner in this case. Refer to specific examples from your classroom, if possible.

  • Task 2. Instructional Strategies Forum

    Peruse the strategies (CLB: ESL for ALL, p.11) and identify what strategies you have already been using and at least one that you can apply or enhance in your teaching practice. Share your finding with the colleagues on the forum:)
    

  • Best Practices: Adult ESL Literacy Learners Page

    Watch the presentation. 

    Refer to the forum Task 3 (Bonus) to share your ideas.

    
    

    
    

  • Task 3 (Bonus). Needs Assessment Activities Forum

    Describe and share (if possible) the needs assessment activities you have been using in your class. How and when would you use peer surveys? My self-discovery set is available HERE. Please feel free to access, use and provide your feedback or ideas on the forum.

  • Exit Ticket Module 1 Page

    "Don't Let a Good Idea Get Away” 

    Think about your experience in this Module. 

    What ideas are useful and applicable to your teaching context?

• Module 4.2 - Task-based Instruction: Applying “CLB: ESL for ALL” in the LINC classroom
  
  

  Module 4.2 - Task-based Instruction: Applying “CLB: ESL for ALL” in the LINC classroom

  By the end of this module, you will have reviewed and applied interactive instructional approach, langauge experience approach, and digital literacy categories in relation to your current teaching context. 

  • Deconstructing the Task: Skill-Building and Skill-Using Book

    

    Interactive instructional approach. 
    Language experience approach. 
    Digital literacy.

    ! For convenience, the entire booklet or individual chapters can be printed by using the print icon in the Administration block on the left. 

  • Task 1. Language Experience Approach Forum

    Review the LEA examples from fellow practitioners and share your observations. What stands out for you? Do you see any advantages using LEA with Literacy learners? How can be mainstream learners engaged? Please share your observations on the forum thread. Brainstorm ideas for possible LEA projects in your class. Shelly McConell's books are here and Kelly Morrissey's examples are here & here. My sample is here.

  • Task 2. Digital Literacy Categories Forum

    
    

    

    Based on the DL categories (CLB: ESL for ALL, p. 24) identify a few items that you think will be valuable for learners in your class. Share your ideas on the discussion forum.

  • Best Practices: Deconstructing the Task Page

    Deconstructing the Task. Watch the recorded presentation. Complete Task 3 on the forum (Bonus).

  • Task 3 (Bonus). Task-based instruction in digital literacy. Forum

    I have collected a list of links for thematic task-based instruction. Take a peek and share at least one idea that you could use in your class and briefly describe how would you do it. http://literacyesl.blogspot.ca/p/tbl.html

  • Exit Ticket Module 2 Page

    "Don't Let a Good Idea Get Away” 

    Think about your experience in this Module. 

    What ideas are useful and applicable to your teaching context?

• Module 4.3 - Adult ESL Literacy Assessment Practices: Using Literacy Tools in the CATK
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  Module 4.3 - Adult ESL Literacy Assessment Practices: Using Literacy Tools in the CATK

  By the end this module, you will have reviewed and adapted assessment samples available in CATK; discussed and applied best practices to create own classroom materials and assessment tools.

  • Deconstructing Assessment Book

    

    Classroom Assessment Toolkit.
    

    Developing materials for Adult ESL Literacy learners.

    ! For convenience, the entire booklet or individual chapters can be printed by using the print icon in the Administration block on the left. 
    

  • Task 1. Assessment tools. Forum

    How do you keep track of learner progress in your classes? Share an assessment tool that works for you in your current practice. If you are not teaching, share an assessment tool that you would like to try or seems to be teacher and student friendly.

  • Task 2. Planning for Assessment. Forum

    Share your assessment plan (brief notes) on the forum by adding a new discussion topic.  Here, you can also share your experience of following the steps to experiment with the CATK Tools.     

  • Designing materials for Adult ESL Literacy learners. Page

    In this video, Shelley McConnell shares tips on developing materials for Adult ESL learners. Watch the video, use the forum thread to share what tips and ideas you find informative and useful. Is there anything from the video you could use with your learners?

  • Task 3 (Bonus) Materials for Adult ESL Literacy Learners. Forum

    Share tips and ideas you found relevant and informative. Is there anything from the video you could use with your learners? What printed resources are you currently using? How do they compare to the principles identified in Shelley's video tutorial?    

  • Exit Ticket Module 3 Page

    "Don't Let a Good Idea Get Away” 

    Think about your experience in this Module. 

    What ideas are useful and applicable to your teaching context?

    
    
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