PROFESSIONAL RESOURCE CATALOG



Professional Resource Catalog Laurel Gilmore EDU 653: Second Language Acquisition Marisa Gambardella February 25, 2015The following is a list of ESL resources:Dave’s ESL Café – Retrieved from website was set up as a resource for both students and teachers. It offers everything from lesson plans to job search. This is a go-to resource for ideas. The link to “The Idea Cookbook” is a place where teachers post ideas on how to reach their students. In the “Teacher Discussion Forums” there are posts about how teachers handle such challenges as unruly students, teaching business English, and which software is best. There is also a section dedicated to students, with mini-lessons and quizzes. The recommendation is to provide these to students who are comfortable working on their own or studying for the TOEFL exam.TEFL NET – Retrieved from is an online resource for lesson plans, activities, and teaching tips. One part provides free worksheets that a teacher can print for use in the classroom. TEFLNet also has forums where teachers can discuss different topics. One that is particularly interesting is the “Teaching Adults” forum. One can ask questions and others will weigh in with suggestions. Another section offers multiple resources. Use the FAQ’s to learn the differences between all the acronyms related to teaching English…ELT, TEFL, ESL, etc.EFL/ESL Lessons and Lesson Plans From The Internet TESL Journal – Retrieved from This website is extremely helpful for an inexperienced teacher. As the name implies, it offers lessons and lesson plans, and so much more. To incorporate fun, refer to the sections on “Jokes” and “Games”. There are also additional links to other resources, such as journal articles, book reviews, and songs. This is good for obtaining song lyrics and articles about teaching overseas. teAchnology – Retrieved from online resource offers practical lesson plans which are great for teaching adults. One such is “Exploring Money”. This lesson can be done as Pair-Share or in groups. The intent is to teach students about different kinds of coins and their value. Another lesson geared toward older students, and would be very good for teens, is the “Car Budget Activity”. Students learn about all the costs of operating a vehicle from insurance to parking to speeding tickets. This lesson would be useful to develop vocabulary and math skills. There are other links to holiday lessons, worksheets (free), and a teacher forum. Instructional Practices Book – Missouri School of the Blind – Retrieved from this was not specific to English Language Learners, there is good information regarding instructional strategies. In the very first page, the authors say “Best Practices = Effective Instruction” and proceed to give many samples of instructional best-practices based on research. The scope of learning is:Introduce: Teacher exposes students to concepts, uses feedback, but no assessments Develop: Teacher teaches the skill, students practice, formative assessments Essential: Teacher re-teaches as needed, students practice, formative and summative assessments Reinforce: Teacher reviews the skills as needed, students use the skill in their daily work, summative and embedded assessments.An adult education teacher might use a “learning contract”. This is designed to be “a written agreement between the teacher and the student” and will define expectations. Included will be a definition of learning - what, how, how long, and evaluation strategies (p. 9). Another learning tool is the “Vocabulary Notebook” (p. 14). Students record vocabulary words as a base point. They may use them as flash cards, but they would also be expected to define the word, use it in a sentence, and identify the part of speech (noun, verb, etc.). TED Talks – Retrieved from This is a wonderful resource for speakers on any and every topic imaginable. Recorded speeches given by men and women all around the world can be played for students or for individual enlightenment. One such speech by Patricia Ryan (2010), “Don’t Insist on English” shows how native languages are lost and the possibilities of lost opportunities for science or literature and how insisting on English can create a barrier. She has taught English in the UAE for over 30 years and says, “We English teachers are the gatekeepers”. She discusses the costs of testing (TOEFL, etc.). She also says, “If you can’t think a thought, you are stuck. But if another language can think that thought, by cooperating we can achieve and learn so much more”. When working with students from different language backgrounds, it is important to remember they think first in their native language, process into English, and then speak in English. We need to recognize the students for what they know, and that they know it in their own language. Her final point was to use the languages and spread great ideas. Other TED talks include such subjects as culture, science, technology, and topics for young learners. Generally, they are from 10 – 20 minutes in length and can be shared in a classroom. “Radio Reading” is a lesson in which students’ “visual, auditory and tactile learning skills” (p. 21) are strengthened. Independently, the students read a selection, and close their books while each student re-reads a section. The others listen carefully, and then they all discuss the meaning. They would be allowed to refer back to the book if needed.Marzano’s Nine Instructional Strategies for Effective Teaching and Learning – Retrieved from from the White Paper, “Researchers at Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) have identified nine instructional strategies that are most likely to improve student achievement across all content areas and across all grade levels”. These are:Identifying the similarities and differencesSummarizing and note takingReinforcing effort and providing recognitionHomework and practiceNonlinguistic representationCooperative learningSetting objectives and providing feedbackGenerating and testing hypothesesCues, questions, and advance organizersGonzalez, V., Yawkey, T., Minaya-Rowe, L. (2005). ESL teaching and learning: pre k-12 classroom applications for students’ academic achievement and development (1st edition).This book offered the different levels at which most ESL students learn, regardless of content. It provides examples of overarching ideas that work across disciplines. This is a great resource for questions on listening skills and knowing an ESL student did not comprehend what is being said - looking for signs and signals.Curtin, Ellen. (2005). Teaching practices for ESL students. Multicultural Education v12 n3 p. 22-27.This article is especially useful for creating lessons that can be summative, such as portfolio entries and the maintaining of folders for self-check-ins and for monitoring continued progress on particular goals. This is a resource for the mainstream teacher with strategies and ideas. A mainstream teacher or ESL teacher could use this information for preparing tests for ESL students. – Retrieved from This is a great resource for pictures for learning basic everyday activities and life skills for ESL students. This site had so many resources for various areas. Another valuable tool is the ice breakers – teacher can get to know the students and for the students to get to know their classmates.11.Edutopia – Retrieved from or website bases all its resources on six basic strategies for learning:?Comprehensive Assessment?Integrated Studies?Project-Based Learning?Social and Emotional Learning?Teacher Development?Technology IntegrationFounded by filmmaker/director George Lucas, the idea is to promote exciting learning with “student teams working cooperatively and children connecting with passionate experts”. The resources include videos, job postings, research, and lesson plans. There is one whole section on diversity with several short videos for teachers. One in particular is narrated by Dr. Dorothy Strickland (2012), which recommends the teacher learn as much as possible about where each child is coming from, but be able to step back and deal with each child as an individual. This also applies to adult learners and isn’t necessarily easy, but very important. 12.Smithsonian Education (multiple resources with state standards, lesson plans, etc.). was able to visit just part of the Smithsonian earlier this year and found myself amazed at the overwhelming amount of knowledge contained within the walls. Now, much of that knowledge is available online through this website with resources for teachers, students, and families. One can search by state standards to ensure the lesson plan is appropriate for the region. There are suggestions for planning field trips, and opportunities for professional development. I especially like the webcasts available online and would certainly use some of those in a classroom. Another lesson plan which would appeal to the students is From Corido to Ballad which teaches about the history of the cowboy culture. “El corrido de Kansas” is probably the earliest existing song about the cowboy life, and in the lesson, students change a Spanish language song to an English language song. It presents the opportunity to understand the gist of the song, rather than a literal translation. 13.Educurious - Retrieved from ? is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on a mission to fundamentally transform the K-12 education experience. Our vision: To create an effective education system in which young people learn in meaningful and inspiring ways, and classrooms are places they want to be. Their goal: “To cultivate curious, motivated young people who are ready for college and tomorrow's careers….They combine project-based learning, technology, and connections with real-world experts, to create meaningful learning experiences that cultivate contemporary skills.14.Teacher Toolkit – Retrieved from This resource offers links to many articles and blogs by others in education. Most recently, I found an article that had lists of questions for every level of teacher to ask themselves for classroom/self- improvement. In addition, there are links to training, chat, YouTube videos, etc. One can search for ideas specific to their teaching. Type in “writing” and the site brings up many resources. 15.Colorado State University – Retrieved from This website offers varied ESL lesson plans and the materials (worksheets) to use. While observing the ESL class these last weeks, I mentioned this site to the teacher and she uses it quite frequently. It provides resource links to other colleges and universities. Currently, I’m reviewing lessons on writing. 16. The Power of Reading, by Dr. Stephen Krashen (2012). [Youtube video]. Retrieved from Dr. Krashen’s ideas have been integral to the entire TESOL program. He discusses what the differences are between acquisition of first and second (or third) languages. His lecture is easy to follow and he emphasizes key points. 17. "My English": Second Language Acquisition as Individual and Social Construction, by Kurt Kohn. (2012). [Youtube video]. Retrieved from Another video, this one brings understanding to the teachers about the why of learning and speaking English. Kohn says, “I want to get it right” not just be understood. This is especially important for adult learners. As a bonus, it was pleasant to hear English spoken so carefully and clearly. 18.Research-Based Strategies for English Language Learners (White Paper) – Retrieved from I found this paper to be quite helpful in explaining and showing how scaffolding works in teaching English to non-native speakers. I especially like the graphics showing connections/scaffolding of learning and the lesson plans. As Rea and Mercuri say, “A scaffold can be as simple as asking students to draw pictures of the beginning, middle, and end of a story before writing or arranging students into heterogeneous ability groups to work on a project.” Some of the benefits include: Clarification of the purpose of a lesson for English language learners.Keeping English language learners on task, helping them understand what to do.Allowing for a more efficient use of time. English language learners can immediately begin to work without asking for additional clarification or assistance.Creation of momentum or increase the flow of a lesson because there are fewer interruptions for clarifications and directions. (Adapted from McKenzie 2000) 19.CASAS-CAHSEE (2014). CASAS Basic Skills Content Standards. Retrieved from This website offers the standards for students to take and pass the CASAS-CAHSEE Exam (2014), a state test of English language proficiency which is designed to show proficiency in:?Writing conventions?Writing strategies?Word analysis?Reading comprehension?Literacy response and analysisThere are assessment tests available. Students preparing for citizenship tests or employment opportunities will appreciate the experience. CASAS recognizes the following areas of competencies: phonology, vocabulary, grammar, general and informational discourse, and strategic and critical thinking. 20.Discovery Education. Retrieved from This network features blogs by educator for educators. Recently, I have been following SOS, Spotlight on Strategies. There are many resources for training and techniques for bringing Discovery into the classroom.I also found the Assessment units on Excel for Educators to be very helpful. This is an excellent learning tool for teachers to track assignments, participation, and grades. It’s also been helpful in my current job. ................
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