For those of you who are interested in the upcoming discussion on the  
Focus on Basics Discussion List about ESOL learners who seem "stuck,"  
here's  a reminder  about how to subscribe, the link to the article  
that will be discussed and and some questions to think about ahead of  
time.


Hi All!

I invite you to join us next week on the Focus on Basics list, for a  
discussion about ESOL learners who seem "stuck".

When:     Wed, Feb. 15th - Wed, Feb 22nd
Where:     On the Focus on Basics Discussion List (You can subscribe  
for the week and then unsubscribe.) Go to:
     www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/focusonbasics

Who and What:   Robin Schwarz, a longtime LD specialist, researcher  
and ESOL tutor, will discuss her  recent article, "Taking a Closer  
Look at Struggling ESOL Learners," about ESOL learners who seem  
"stuck," and how we can find the real reasons for their struggles and  
find ways to get them back on track.

You can find this article at:
http://www.ncsall.net/index.php?id=994

Following are some questions to think about as we prepare to discuss  
this article. If you have staff meetings coming up, I encourage you  
to use them as a chance to discuss the following questions as they  
relate
to your center or program.

Discussion Questions

1.  Stories:  Have you had struggling learners in your program? How
common do you think this problem is? Do you want to share a story of a
learner you have worked with and tell us how you were able to find out
the issue, and what you did to help?

2.  Physical Disabilities:  How do we screen for them and what
specific accommodations can we make in the class or program for them?

3.  Intake/Counseling Procedures:  What does your center or program do
for a routine intake? What is the procedure to address a learner who is
not progressing? How well do you get at factors such as physical and
health problems, living situations, amount and nature of literacy
skills, nature of the primary language and cultural communication
style?

4.  Responding: Once there is a reason discovered for a learner's
struggles, how well-equipped are you to respond to the problem? How do
you learn how to accommodate a hearing or visual problem? What do you do
for the learner with anxiety or depression? Do you have access to a
consulting teacher, or someone knowledgeable in the complexities of a
given culture's communication style (as in the example of the
Sudanesemen in the article)?

5.  Staff Training/Professional Development: What kind of training do
we all need in order to ensure that our intake procedures are complete
and appropriate? What kind of  training will help us to respond in an
effective way?

6.  Did This Article Change Something You Do? Share with us anything
that you changed, did, started, or stopped as a result of reading this
article.  Why?  What result did you get?

7. What Connections Did You Make With This Article? Even if you did not
change anything, did it ring a bell or hit home to you in some way?

  We'll see you next week for the discussion!

Julie



Julie McKinney
Discussion List Moderator
World Education/NCSALL
jmckinney at worlded.org




Gail J. Price
Multimedia Specialist
National Center for Family Literacy
325 West Main Street, Suite 300
Louisville, KY 40205

Phone: 502 584-1133, ext. 112
Fax: 502 584-0172


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