The newest issue of "Focus on Basics" is now on NCSALL's web site, http://www.ncsall.net. It's on ESOL and features research from NCSALL's ESOL Lab School.

Steve Reder, director of the ESOL Lab School, a partnership of Portland State University and Portland Community College, describes the research and how it is conducted. 

Kathryn Harris reports on one aspect of her study of pair work in the ESOL classroom. Learners she studied individualized their pair work, adapting the activities to their language learning needs. 

Pair activities are provided by Donna Moss of Arlington, VA.

Sustained silent reading has been found to encourage many students to read: does it do the same with beginning-level ESOL learners? It is a viable practice with this group, explain Sandra Banke and Reuel Kurzet, who participated in this Lab School study. 

To improve their students' speaking and listening skills, teachers often set up conversation groups. What if the conversation leaders were university students who studied immigration and cultural adaptation as well as strategies for initiating and keeping conversations going? Betsy Kraft chronicles her classes' experiences leading conversations with Lab School students.

Anyone who has taught an ESOL class with students from a variety of language backgrounds has noticed the chatter that goes on, in English, during breaks. Dominique Brillanceau was curious about whether this casual conversation occurs in class as well, and, if it does, what role it plays in learning. 

Starting conversations can be hard for anyone; it's even harder in a new language. John Hellermann explored the nuance of initiating and turn-taking in conversations in Lab School classes. 

Some ESOL learners get stuck, and teachers struggle to find out why. Robin Schwarz, now of Ohio, shares case studies from her years of work with ESOL learners and teachers and provides tips on how to find out what might be the problem.

And the development of NCSALL's Health Literacy Study Circle+ guide is chronicles by Winston Lawrence, NY, and Lisa Soricone, NCSALL.

Happy Reading!
Barb Garner
Editor