Posted at the request of Lynda Terrill, English Language Discussion List 
Moderator.


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>The Adult English Language Learners is planning an online discussion on

>adolescent learners in adult ESL/ESOL classes from February 8-14, 2006.

>To join the English language list, please go to

>http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/discussions.html and follow the

>directions for subscribing.

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>Adolescent English language learners (ELLs) are a growing population in

>secondary schools and a steady presence in postsecondary (adult)

>education programs. Many of you have experienced the unique

>characteristics and needs that adolescent ELLs present in the adult ESL

>classroom. Like their adult counterparts, some of these adolescents may

>be undocumented or may not have high literacy or education levels in

>their native languages. They may be trying to juggle work, education,

>community, and family responsibilities both here and in their native

>countries. Some may be struggling with cross-generational reunification

>issues. Others may have been born and raised in the U.S. but failed to

>succeed in traditional K-12 schooling. Despite their varied educational,

>social, and cultural backgrounds, these adolescents have one thing in

>common - their developmental stage and related needs may set them apart

>from the adult students in your classes.

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>As high school exit criteria grow more demanding in the United States,

>students with limited or interrupted schooling are finding it difficult

>to graduate within the timeframes traditionally allocated for high

>school study. As a result, these students are turning to adult education

>to earn high school diplomas, increase their job skills, and improve

>their English language proficiency. On February 8-14 Sarah Young, author

>of Adolescent Learners in Adult ESL Classes,

>http://www.cal.org/caela/esl_resources/briefs/adolescent.html  will lead

>a discussion and respond to questions about this topic.

>

>Sarah is an instructor at the Arlington Education and Employment Program

>(REEP) in Arlington, Virginia. She is also an adult ESL content

>specialist at the Center for Applied Linguistics where she works on

>several projects related to adolescent and adult English language

>learners.

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>On February 8, Sarah will summarize some of the issues related to

>adolescents studying in adult ESL/ESOL classrooms (e.g., who these

>learners are and why they are in adult ESL/ESOL classes, what

>instructional strategies may work well with this population, what types

>of educational opportunities may be available).

>

>To review the topic before the discussion, please read brief (above),

>which includes an extensive bibliography.

>

>We hope you will share your own experiences, advice, and comments,

>before, during, and after the days that Sarah leads the discussion and

>fields questions.

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>If questions or comments are raised before next Tuesday, I will forward

>them to Sarah.

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>You may also send comments or questions to me off the list at

>lterrill at cal.org

>

>

>

>Lynda Terrill

>English Language Discussion List

>Center for Adult English Language Acquisition Center for Applied

>Linguistics

>4646 40th St, NW

>Washington, DC

>lterrill at cal.org

>tel 202-362-0700

>fax 202-363-7204

>http://www.cal.org/caela