Real Tutors, Real Learners

Introduction

First Meetings

ESL: Speaking, Listening, Reading, Writing

Basic Literacy: Reading, Writing

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Introduction

Real Tutors, Real Learners is a set of videos created by Literacy DuPage which illustrates practical techniques for basic and ESL literacy instruction.

As you watch the videos, look for circled numbers that mark recommended practices. Pause the video and write down for each number what you think the practice is and bring your notes to class.

Although different techniques are shown for the different types of learners, you'll notice broad similarities across the lessons. In your tutoring, try to:

1. Develop a lesson plan each week. Use the videos to help you come up with ideas and activities for your learner.
2. Always ground your lessons in the real-life goals of your learner.
3. Try to include speaking, listening, reading, and writing in each lesson.
4. Design your lessons to build on each other from week to week.
5. Each week, review key topics and lessons from the previous week.
6. Each week, discuss what should be done for the following week.
7. Take notes each week on what worked well, what needs improvement, and new ideas or challenges.
8. Encourage your learner to generate study materials such as sight word lists, picture cards, post-its and experience stories that can be used for study and review.
9. Revisit the videos frequently for ideas and inspiration.
10. Keep in touch with other tutors and trainers at Literacy DuPage to share ideas and get help with special challenges.

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First Meetings

First Meeting – ESL 1 Learner

Getting Acquainted
Goal Setting
Quick Check – Words and Numbers
Quick Check – Reading and Writing
Wrap Up – Next Meeting, Homework

For Reflection

1. What topics do you think might generate good conversations for getting acquainted? For setting goals?
2. What practices do you think helped communication in this session?

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First Meeting – ESL 2 Learner – Part 1

Getting Acquainted
Goal Setting
Try Some Writing? Attempt #1
Wrap Up – Next Meeting, Phone Numbers
Try Some Writing? Attempt #2

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First Meeting – ESL 2 Learner – Part 2

Try Some Writing? Attempt #3
Homework

For Reflection

1. How might the goals of a Level 1 learner differ from those of a Level 2 learner?
2. What kind of notes would you take in a session like this one?
3. How could you use those notes in planning sessions?

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ESL: Speaking, Listening, Reading, Writing

Sight Words from Family Photos

Step 1: Share Photos, Note Sight Words
Step 2: Practice Sight Words

For Reflection

1. What other kinds of photos or materials might lend themselves to this approach?
2. Think of some goals for which this technique might be well suited. How would you design this activity to support those goals?
3. What kinds of follow-up might this activity suggest for future sessions?

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Practice with Picture Cards – Part 1

Step 1: Create Cards
Step 2: Review the Cards
What Is This Item?
Find the Item

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Practice with Picture Cards – Part 2

Setting Up the Next Lesson

For Reflection

1. Why is this a good lesson?
2. How would you teach the lesson on pricing mentioned at the end of the lesson?
3. What other subjects lend themselves to this kind of vocabulary development?

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Using Post-Its

Step 1: Label, Spell, Pronounce
Step 2: After Labeling All Items, Review Labels
Step 3: Scramble Labels, Let Learner Replace
Step 4: Write Down Words for Future Study

For Reflection

1. What do you think made this lesson effective?
2. This lesson involves physical activity which is especially effective for some learners. What other activities might suit this "kinesthetic" learning style?

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Role Play: Doctor Call

Step 1: Identify a Real-Life Need
Step 2: Preview, Write Down Vocabulary
Step 3: Conduct the Role Play
Step 4: Discuss Confusing Aspects

For Reflection

1. What language skills are emphasized in this kind of role play?
2. What other aspects of communication can a role play like this help address?

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ESL 1 Experience Story

Step 1: Write Story
Step 2: Tutor Reads Story, Asks Learner for Changes
Step 3: Learner Reads Story

For Reflection

1. This experience story resulted from an incident that occurred that day. What other kinds of learner experiences could be used?
2. How can a lesson like this be used as the basis for other lessons?

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ESL 2 Experience Story

Learner Reads Homework Assignment
Encourage Learner to Self-Correct
Prepare for Next Lesson

For Reflection

1. What language abilities does a session like this target for ESL 2 learners?
2. How can you find topics for experience stories that will connect language practice with your learner's goals?

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Job Hunt – Reading and Writing Techniques

Lesson Overview, Pre-Reading
First Text
Echo Reading
Fill Out an Application
Discuss Skills, Role Play
Writing Down Job Skills

For Reflection

1. This lesson used a job hunt as a theme for several different activities. What other activities could be used for the same theme?
2. What language skills did this lesson address? How would the empahsis on each of those skills change if the lesson were designed for a basic literacy student?

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Basic Literacy: Reading, Writing

Alphabet Study

Practice Letter Names
Practice Letter Sounds
Listen and Point
Listen and Identify the First Letter of a Word

For Reflection

1. What do you think worked well in this lesson? What surprised you?
2. What letters are the best to teach first?
3. When would any student use letter names in real life?

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Reading and Writing Practice Using a New Address

Step 1: Review Address
Step 2: Practice Saying It
After several repetitions – Step 3: Practice Writing
After several repetitions – Step 4: Practice Writing Without Looking
After several repetitions – Step 5: Practice City and State
After several repetitions – Encouragement
After several repetitions – Success!
Real Life Application: Filling Out Address Cards
Assignment for Next Session

For Reflection

1. Which students – basic literacy or ESL – do you think are more likely to need help writing and spelling their addresses?
2. What other activities can you think of to help a learner practice an address?

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Basic Reading and Writing Techniques - Part 1: Alphabet Study

Review Prior Lesson
New Words and Rhyming Words
Writing the Words
Find Sounds in an Experience Story

For Reflection

1. How would alphabet study for a basic literacy learner compare to similar study for ESL learners who have never learned the alphabet?
2. Suppose an ESL learner knows the Western alphabet letters, but pronounces the letters differently. What techniques would you use for alphabet study?

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Basic Reading and Writing Techniques - Part 2: Word Study

Read Story Silently
Discuss Unknown Words
Read the Story Aloud
Add to the Story
Spell Tracing

For Reflection

1. This session uses an experience story for word study and to develop basic reading and writing skills.
   
   How would this activity be different for an ESL learner who already knows how to read and write in another language?

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Basic Reading and Writing Techniques - Part 3: Reading a Map

How to Use an Atlas
Writing Practice Using Place Names
Reading Directions

For Reflection

1. What kinds of student goals would lend themselves to map study?
2. What aspects of this particular session would be unique to basic literacy learners?
3. What other activities involving maps might be effective for ESL level 1 and 2 learners?

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