Selecting Literature for ESL Students

       When selecting reading materials for ESL students, the most important factor is the vocabulary and senctence structure. Can the content be understood for the reader? Is it appropriate for the profieciency level of the reader? Those questions can help determine if the materials is comprehensible for the students. A student who is in the intermediate or speech emergence will need a lower level reading materail with visuals. A student who is at the fluent or high intermediate level may be able to read the same material the native English speakers are reading. Some programs and editions come with leveled books to reach the high, middle, and low readers. If there is one text book to read from, it is recommended for a teacher to take it upon themselves and make a passage simplified for older ELL students.
        Illustrations are also importants to when selecting reading materials. Working with younger children, I find that if they book has photographs or good illustrations, the students have more of an interest. The pictures usually have a significant connection to the sentences on that page, helping the students understand the words they are reading.
       The last factor for evaluating reading materials is making sure there are opportunites for discussion or comprehension questions. Opening up a discussion from a book or reading passage allows the student to take in the information read and analyze it. Discussions also give ELL students an opportunity to use English in spoken form.

Promoting Literacy for ELL students

Literacy is one of the most important things you can promote in young children. I have asked several kids of various ages if they like to read or if they have read this summer. Every one said they don't like to read. Teaching kindergarten, I can encourage my students to search for books or authors they like and begin that joy for reading. If I show an interest in reading, my students might do the same. It is even more important for ELL students to have a love for reading. Reading will help their spoken language and increase their vocabulary. I taught a class of ELL students this last year and really encouraged them to find books they liked. I put emphasis on the books I loved and explained why I liked them so much. I noticed my students getting books from the library that interested them. I could tell they liked them because they had that one book in their hand whenever they had free time.

You can promote literacy for ELL students in kindergarten by showing how exciting books can be and showing your own interest in books. You can allow the students to looks at big books. The books are as big as the students, which is so exciting to yound children. You can make your reading center fun using fun pillows, bean bags, or fun chairs. Anything that appeals to young children will work. I remember my 1st grade teacher had a 2 story loft that we call the tree house. Everyone couldn't wait for their turn to go to the reading tree house. This year I am going with a camping theme. I am super excited about my  reading center becaues I am setting it up like a real camping site. I am using a 2-3 person tent, a lantern light, camping chairs, a cooler, and some string or rope lights. The students will get a almost real camping experience. A comfy reading center is also an option for parents to promote reading in their homes.

Introduction

My name is Jennifer Lloyd. I am a teacher at Una Elementary in Nashville. This blog is set up to discuss topics and aspects of second language learning. My first year after college I spent a year in Honduras teaching English to pre-k students to 5th grade. It was a great experience and allowed me to be a language learner myself. This last year, I had 17 ELL students in my class. I was teaching on a waiver and am getting my certification at MTSU. I want to continue to get my masters in Special Ed. My long distance future plan is to work in an orphanage in a third world country hoping to teach and work with children with special needs. I love working with children, especially ELL students. Stay tuned for future blogs on writing and reading methods for second language learners.