Gina,

I am not going to answer your questions per se, but I want to tell you a story.  This is a story about a wonderful teacher who used folk tales to teach her adult ELL students. I had the privilege of observing the process.

First, she told them (in English) the story of the Goose that Laid the Golden Egg.  She used a book with the most colorful pictures, and she even dramatized the events. Then, she asked them if they had ever heard anything like this in their home countries.  "Do you have a story in your culture and in your language that is like this one?"

Amazed at their responses, she turned to her teacher's aide. "You have to get this down on tape," she said. 

Every person in the room could recite a similar story, and there were at least six languages and several cultures represented in the class. They wrote as much as they were able and drew pictures to illustrate their ideas.  The excitement grew and expanded into a book of "Universal Folk Tales."

That was at least 15 years ago, and I don't remember the teacher's name, but I do remember that there was no question that these students were motivated, responsive, and validated.

So, Gina, I hope your love of literature includes children's books.  There is a great body of quality literature that will prove both fruitful and delightful for teaching ELL adults. 

Meta Potts
FOCUS on Literacy
Glen Allen, VA
 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Gail Price <gprice at famlit.org>

> Dear Subscribers,

> 

> The following message is crossposted from the Adult ELLs Discussion  

> List. I wondered if any of you were using literature with your  

> English language learners and would share your ideas with us. If you  

> have developed some strategies for how parents can then transfer what  

> they are learning through their reading of literature to their  

> children's language and literacy development, send those along as well.

> 

> What are your responses to Gina's questions (see message below)?

> 

> If you are not already subscribed to the Adult ELL Discussion List  

> and would like to be, just follow the instructions below.

> 

> > National Institute for Literacy

> > Adult English Language Learners mailing list

> > EnglishLanguage at nifl.gov

> > To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to  

> > http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/englishlanguage

> >

> 

> 

> Begin forwarded message:

> 

> > From: <ginabina2u at verizon.net>

> > Date: December 9, 2006 10:21:57 AM EST

> > To: englishlanguage at nifl.gov

> > Subject: [EnglishLanguage 867]  using literature in adult ESL  

> > classrooms

> > Reply-To: The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List  

> > <englishlanguage at nifl.gov>

> >

> >

> > Since I'm new to this discussion board, I'll first introduce  

> > myself: I'm a graduate student in the TESOL program at UMCP, with  

> > the goal of teaching English to adult immigrants.  I'm very  

> > interested in using literature (poetry, novellas, plays, folktales,  

> > myths, novels...) in teaching adult ELLs.  And, I'm currently  

> > writing a paper on the topic.

> >

> > I have several "burning" questions for anyone who's had experience  

> > with this approach, and would greatly appreciate any insights you  

> > might have.

> >

> > Here's some background: I'm interested in using literature  

> > aesthetically (rather than efferently) in teaching ESL adults.  In  

> > other words, I want to share my passion for literature with my  

> > students -- to engage them in the literary process (interacting  

> > with the literature, and thinking about how it applies to their own  

> > life experiences) -- not use it merely to teach grammar.  It's  

> > important to me that literature be used appropriately in the  

> > classroom... the way the authors intended it to be used.  I'm also  

> > very interested in how culture plays a (huge) role in literature...  

> > and how a teacher can take advantage of this and use literature to  

> > not only teach English, but also to promote cultural awareness (of  

> > different cultures, as well as those of the students) and  

> > sensitivity in the classroom.

> >

> > As part of my research paper, I'm required to interview a teacher  

> > who has (or has had) experience with teaching literature to adult  

> > ESL students.  You may have taught literature aesthetically or  

> > efferently, or both.  That's fine.  I'd like to hear about your  

> > experiences.  Below are my questions:

> >

> > 1) What has worked for you in using literature to teach ESL  

> > adults?  What hasn't?  Why?

> >

> > 2) Have you had any difficulty motivating and engaging adults in  

> > learning English through literature?

> >

> > 3) Is a certain level of English language proficiency necessary  

> > before using literature in the adult classroom?  Is it possible to  

> > use literature with low level students?

> >

> > 4) If you've used literature with low level adult students, what  

> > has worked and what hasn't?

> >

> > 5) Do you have any literature lesson plan ideas for adults (at any  

> > level) that have especially worked for you?

> >

> > 6) In your opinion, are there any circumstances in which using  

> > literature for ESL adults isn't recommended?

> >

> > 7) How would you respond to the criticism that teaching literature  

> > is impractical for adults?  (Common gripes: "ESL adults need to  

> > learn English to survive... literature is 'fluff' and useless...    

> > adults are too busy to sit around and discuss literature... in the  

> > time they *do* have, they should be learning practical English.")

> >

> > A lot of questions, I know.  If you haven't the time to answer all  

> > of them, I'm *most* interested in questions 2, 5, 6, and 7.

> >

> > I look forward to reading your comments!

> >

> > Thanks so much,

> >

> > Gina Verbrugge

> > Graduate Student

> > University of Maryland, College Park

> > ginabina2u at verizon.net

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ----------------------------------------------------

> > National Institute for Literacy

> > Adult English Language Learners mailing list

> > EnglishLanguage at nifl.gov

> > To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to  

> > http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/englishlanguage

> > Message sent to gprice at famlit.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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