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.