<div>I have been developing a more tech-based, student-friendly English literacy course for Spanish speaking adults and their families. Many free and effective internet resources are being integrated into a cohesive internet-based ESL program available on my website <a href="http://tkowitt.home.comcast.net/">http://tkowitt.home.comcast.net</a>. <br>
<br>Websites such as <a href="http://www.starfall.com/">www.Starfall.com</a> and <a href="http://www.pumarosa.com/">www.Pumarosa.com</a>, which have been funded by the Polis-Schutz family, are being integrated into the program. These websites are quite effective for teaching literacy. These and other internet-based resources help students:<br>
· Cut the silent verbal period that often accompanies recent immigration from a few months to only a few weeks. <br>· Increase confidence in reading, writing and speaking in English. <br>· Accommodate multilevel English language learning in the classroom.<br>
· Increase comfort with technology.<br>· Increase time spent rehearsing English language skills at home on the internet.<br>· Increase time teen mothers spend reading to and with their children at home or at the library.<br>
· Involve students' friends and families in the literacy process. </div>
<div><br>In my program I try not only to accommodate the students, but teachers as well. I provide teachers with tools they can use to expand upon classroom learning and provide a location where teachers can study the languages of their ESOL students for free. Teachers are provided with many multilingual ESL resources that use music, poetry, games and activities to improve students' English in a fun and interactive way. I hope to share my program at the TESOL conference in Denver in March of 2009. <br>
<br>Sincerely,<br> <br>Talia Kowitt.<br>MA in Education<br>K-12 TESOL Certification</div>