Promoting Literacy

What important factors do you feel are needed when selecting and evaluating ESL reading materials?

In my classroom the most important factor when selecting reading materials for my students is if the book is leveled for his or her reading ability. I teach the younger students so I keep simple and select predictable books where students work on predicting the outcome. I also make sure there are pictures in the book for the students to use the illustrations as reading strategy. I select books where students can make connections. I also select books with rhyming words so we can circle or hear the sounds.





What are your thoughts regarding promoting literacy in second language learner?

As educators, it is our jobs to promote every student who walks into our classroom with literacy, mathematics, social studies, science, or what any other subject. Giving ESL students opportunities to read and/or listen to reading is very important and helps exposes them to our language. In my classroom I buy books very often for our classroom library. My classroom library is a very cozy environment with pillows and lamps where my students can read a his or her favorite book. I also have a section in my library with many Spanish books and dictionaries. Another way I promote literacy in my classroom is reading aloud to my students everyday. I choose a variety of my favorite books to help expose them to different genres after reading we have a very short discussion about the book or the story.

As a society, we should want to promote literacy to second language learners. We need a nation of educated humans who can think for her or himself. Education has given people the ability to think and grow self sufficiently.