Literacy class

bdellorusso · Post by **bdellorusso** » Sun May 23, 2004 8:06 pm

I will be teaching a literacy class to Liberians who have no formal education in their own country. Can any of you share some experiences/websites/ideas?
Thank you!
Barbara

Sally Olsen · Post by **Sally Olsen** » Mon May 24, 2004 5:46 pm

Ages of the students? I am presuming adults? It is extremely hard to teach them English when they have no foundation of learning a language or sense of letters, words, and school skills in their own language. Of course, it can be done and often is, so you can try. But might I suggest trying to get some teachers or books that can teach them their own language first. It makes the transition much easier. Even if you only spend half the class time with their language and then do some oral English, it would be worthwhile. It doesn't take them long to learn and they get so excited about teaching you. It gives you an insight into their world that is invaluable when you get further along the road in English.
The other thing is coping with the reasons that they have for coming to this new country. Usually it is not a positive process and often not their choice. It might be good to look up the signs of grief and what to expect and how to help them get through it - often just by listening and listening and listening longer even when you think they should be over it. I think the most trying moment of my teaching career was listening to the tales of horror from the Somali group when they came. My tears were coming as fast as theirs and I still wake up some nights with dreams about what they told me and I didn't even see it. Tough times ahead for you. Make sure you take care of yourself so can take care of them.

bdellorusso · Post by **bdellorusso** » Mon May 24, 2004 9:09 pm

Thanks Sally - what incredible insight - and good advice. I have time and will look into all these issues. Yes - they are all adults.

HillaryF · Post by **HillaryF** » Sat May 29, 2004 9:06 pm

The Liberians I have worked with speak English as their native language (although in reality it is more of a creole). They had almost no literacy in the English alphabet, however. Is this the case with your students? If so, perhaps the Laubach or Wilson series would be helpful to you.

Take care,
Hillary

bdellorusso · Post by **bdellorusso** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 1:12 pm

Thanks Hillary - I haven't started the class yet. As far as I know they don't speak any English. Do you think these series would still be useful?
Thanks again, Barbara

Sally Olsen · Post by **Sally Olsen** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 11:12 am

I know that these texts have been used successfully all over North America and have been of enormous help to people to learn to read and write. I just never could get excited about "This is a bird" and stick to it. It does come with tapes and can be good for homework. It seems to me that people want and need to expresss their feelings and to tell their stories and then they are more likely to be able to read these stories back if you write them down exactly how they say them (don't correct grammar because then they can't read them back but of course, you can spell things correctly). They really want to know what other people like them have done as well and what ways they coped and what they need to know to survive and thrive. There are so many papers that they get in the mail, from the school, signs they see on the road, in the stores, information on the back of the cleaning products, medicine bottles and on bus tickets that seems a lot more vital. I think we called this "realia" or "authentic materials" If you are going to take their time, I am sure they would appreciate filling out application forms and tax forms. That said, there are people who expect a book from school and these texts will provide that. There are others too - a really good series from Alberta, Canada called "The Blade". You could use it as a basis to write one that is more relevant to them. I liked the format though - one lesson that took an hour, tapes for them to practice at home, adult stories about adult issues and lots and lots of practice exerices that used real materials. I am not so sure about the heavy emphasis on the phonics component of all these programs - there is a good one for computers called Autoskills like this as well. What do people think about teaching phonics?

LarryLatham · Post by **LarryLatham** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 10:25 pm

Barbara, I think you already sense this, but I just wanted to emphasize how fortunate you are to have this advice from Sally Olsen. Although I have never had the pleasure of meeting her in person, I have had some conversation with her in this forum, and believe that she is one all of us can truly learn something from. Advice from me?...Listen to Sally.

Larry Latham