#esl reading

An Overview of Teaching Reading to ELLs

Learning how to read is a complex process for all students. When you are teaching reading to ELLs, there is the added challenge that they are learning the vocabulary of English as they learn how to read. Some ELLs have the benefit of knowing how to read in their native language. This is helpful as many of the same skills will transfer over as they learn how to read in English. For young ELLs they…

What is Language?

by John Pereira (Kyoto, Japan)

What Is Language?

In this short, informal article I’d like to talk about what is intrinsic to language per se, that is language as we usually understand the term with no reference to the evolution of or processes in the brain. I would also like to invite readers to send me some feedback. As I see it, language has four dimensions, which are discussed…

TEFL Lesson Plans

by Aarti Thomas (India)

Some useful TEFL Lesson Plans

One of the most important things an ESL teacher has to do and have is a complete and thorough TEFL lesson plan. It is based on this lesson plan that they conduct their classes, and help their ESL students learn the English language.

There are various resources on the internet that offer not only ideas for TEFL lesson plans,…

Extensive Reading: What is it?

Saturday, June 9th. 2018 Time: 2PM-4PM (Doors open at 1:30)

Where:

Tokyo Metropolitan Tama Library (Near Nishi-Kokubunji Station)

Google Map

Contact: [email protected]

Cost: Free to JALT members. Non-members 1,000 Yen

RSVP: Reserve your Seat!

Abstract:

In this presentation, Dr. Boon will outline his experience of implementing ER programs at Japanese universities. He will describe an ER…

How to Teach ABC’s to ESL Beginners

It’s great if your students can speak English but it’s not so handy if they can’t read. At the first school I taught we didn’t stress the importance of reading. We just wanted to be a conversation school and so we neglected the importance of reading and writing. Now, my schools curriculum is much more ‘school oriented’ in that we want the students to be able to read, write and speak. With my high…

So my students have been asking me to come up with a book list for them. Piece of cake, I thought - but not quite. They must be interesting but not too complicated, challenging but not too long. I decided that the two categories that best fit ESL students are short stories and non-fiction.

This is the list I came up with (with some help) but I could swear there are more books out there I haven't thought of yet:

Bill Bryson: Notes from a Small Island

Agatha Christie: Hercule Poirot - The complete short stories

Roald Dahl: Completely Unexpected Tales; Boy

Philip K. Dick: Selected Stories

Neil Gaiman: Smoke & Mirrors

H.P. Lovecraft: Dreams and Fancies

Alexander McCall Smith: The Girl Who Married a Lion: And Other Tales From Africa

Isaac B. Singer: A Crown of Feathers and Other stories

Paul Theroux: The Great Railway Bazaar