Teaching Ferguson to Adult English Language Learners

In response to the police shooting of Mike Brown and the numerous protests and civil unrest that followed the shooting and grand jury decision, students were eager to learn about what was going on in St. Louis and Ferguson. Students saw boarded up windows walking to class. Some were afraid and not sure of their safety. They were encouraged to talk to staff about their fears and general personal safety lessons were also reviewed.The following is a story based on what was in the news. Suggested activities include: showing videos and news pictures from the web. Circle key words.Alphabetize key words.Ask students “What’s number 3?, 5?” Etc. Students can also do this in pairs.Worksheet of questions about the story. Students can also read these in pairs when completed.True false worksheet.Cloze of part of the story.Multi-level dictation of the story.Matching pictures to key words.Discussion about civil rights history, racism, police, safety.

Material Type: Teaching/Learning Strategy

Author: Angy Folkes

Using Sensory Adjectives to Write Descriptive Paragraphs

This lesson works well with developing writers to help them learn to incorporate strong sensory adjectives into their writing. Students begin by completing a Five Senses Chart and progress to writing a full descriptive paragraph based on a picture prompt. This material was remixed based on "I Spy": Using adjectives and descriptive phrases by Elizabeth Hutchens. The remixed lesson was created to be used with adult learners. The original lesson can be found by clicking on the link that is included with this resource.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Stephanie Sommers

When Pigs Fly: A Lesson Plan on Idioms

This lesson plan centers on a fun, interactive activity that allows students to explore and understand common English idioms.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: Sarah Sahr

Intro to Microsoft Word

Do you want to learn the basics of how to use Microsoft word? This web site offers easy to understand video lessons. In addition to the audio lessons, the site offers supplement materials.

Material Type: Lecture, Lesson Plan, Student Guide

ESL Health

This activity is an ESL lesson about health suitable for teens and adults. It includes questions about health and a video about fast food restaurants with a listening activity.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lecture

Author: www.ESLKidsGames.com by David Muclahy

Smartphones in Adult ESL Instruction: picture prompts and review

This is a video that shows how adult ESL students use smart phones to take and share pictures. The teacher explains the variety of topics she uses the pictures for and students can be seen showing discussing the pictures.

Material Type: Teaching/Learning Strategy

Author: Arlington Education and Employment Program (REEP)

Video: Family English

This video shows how writing letters for and about family can help someone learn English as a second language.

Material Type: Lecture

Author: TV 411

Betsy's Eclection: Language + Technology

This website includes a variety of teaching materials. Many of them are geared at a beginning and intermediate level and are suitable for ESL students of many ages.

Material Type: Game, Interactive, Reading

Author: Elizabeth Labolette

Cause and Effect in Reading Passages

This is a lesson that introduces students to cause and effect in reading passages. It also includes signal words that can assist students in identifying cause and effect. This is the introductory lesson. Extension activity (challenge) allows students to write their own cause and effect statements.

Material Type: Lesson

Author: Heather Turngren

Comparing prices: Shopping for the Beginning Adult ESL learner

Comparing sales ads for the Shopping Unit for Beginner Adult ESL learners. Using sales ads students will learn how to figure out sale prices, percentage discounts, and final cost of items. They will compare ads from advertisers, compare like items, and find the best price available. Students will learn how to make sentences using comparatives (and superlatives – for higher level ESL learners.)

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Game, Interactive

Author: Orly Penny

The Penny: ESOL Intermediate Reading Activity

The purpose of this lesson is for High Intermediate to Advanced adult ESOL students to learn new vocabulary, practice reading, and hone their conversation skills while learning about the use of the penny in the United States.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan

Author: Joanna Stratman

Fahrenheit to Celcius Conversions for the Adult ESL Learner

Adult ESL learners may not know the American measurement system. The United States is one of only five countries still using Fahrenheit to measure temperatures (see list below). Simplifying the conversion can help our learners make sense of local temperatures. The method below is “a reasonable approximation”, not an exact calculation.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Interactive, Lesson Plan

Author: Orly Penny

ESOL Earth Day

The purpose of this lesson is for students to practice and improve English conversation, writing, vocabulary, and reading through the lens of the Earth Day holiday (April 22nd). Also, students can brainstorm and share what we can do to preserve the Earth on a global or personal scale.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan

Author: Joanna Stratman

Parts of the Body, an ESL Lesson Plan for Adult Literacy or Low-Beginning Level Students

An integral component of the adult ESL literacy and low-beginning level course outlines is an introduction to the parts of the body. The author addresses this content area, suggesting a variety of classroom activities and instructional strategies which promote student success in the development of this competency

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Patricia Petherbridge-Hernandez

Prefixes Say Plenty TV411

This website gives a short written explanation and plenty of practice for common prefixes. There is also a video on prefixes and other interactive activities for suffixes and more.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Homework/Assignment, Interactive

Building Community Adult ESOL Lesson Plan

The lesson plan is useful for building community in an Adult ESOL class for intermediate and advanced level students. The plan contains icebreakers and a review of adjectives that describe character.

Material Type: Game, Lesson Plan

Author: Leann Keefe Holland

Time Clauses with When, Before, After -- Movie Segment

This activity is a good review for adult or teen ESL learners on time clauses. The movie, In Time, is set in a futuristic world where time is the currency. After ten questions on what happens before or after another, there are three interesting discussion questions.

Material Type: Assessment, Lesson Plan

Author: Johanna Wolfe

Percent Shopping

Students solve five problems in each level of this interactive game, beginning by selecting from one to five toys and adding their prices. This determines the challenge level of the activity. In Level 1, students find the sale price when the original price and percent discount are known. In Level 2, they find the percent discount when the original price and the sale price are known.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

What's in Your House?

This lesson presents common household vocabulary. It includes activities for cooperative learning, student interviews, and vocabulary development.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Patricia Petherbridge-Hernandez

A Visit to the Local Supermarket

This lesson introduces ESOL or ELL students to common food items and their location on supermarket shelves. The lesson also provides an overview of the organization of supermarkets and the distribution of food items along different aisles. Materials include a list of vocabulary, cooperative learning activities, and a handout to complete while visiting the supermarket.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Patricia Petherbridge-Hernandez