I have been asked if I knew of any good reading methods or programs for a 7th grade student who has a very limited knowledge of English. He needs a program that is not too babyish but yet starts at the beginning and also works on vocabulary. If anyone can offer any help, it would be greatly appreciated.
Re: Reading programs for 7th grader with limited English
There are a number of good ESL programs that include reading and writing components. Just typing ESL into Amazon.com would get you an overload of information.
If you want to restrict your search, I have had very good results with books published by Pearson Education; I buy them through a company called editions renouveau pedagigique incorporee (erpi) here in Montreal. For adults and even for some adolescents I use a series called Canadian Concepts (obviously, a good amount of Canadian culture). You could look at this one, quite reasonably priced, or you could look at books specifically designed for teens and/or the US market.
I have noted that books for teens do often have much less reading than those on the same level aimed at adults, so if you’re looking for reading the adult ones may sometimes be better.
When you say limited English, how limited?
a few hundred words — Level 1-2, basic, not much reading possible (other than the kiddie primers you want to avoid), just simple sentences and short dialogue.
a thousand words and the present tense — start level 3, intermediate, can read paragraphs and longer dialogues.
several thousand words and the past and future tenses — start level 5, advanced ESL, interesting articles and discussions.
I would recommend the Sound Reading CD for Teens if he needs basic phonemic awareness work and basic decoding skills. Don’t be fooled by the teen title; it starts at the very beginning with single sounds. Most children, including teens, do not mind working with this CD. It starts at a K/1st grade level and ends at about a mid-3rd grade level. The CD ends with teaching basic multi-syllable word attack skills. Website is http://www.soundreading.com
For vocabulary, I think I would try the first WordSmart CD (volume A) and see how it goes. All of the explanations are oral, which would give him good exposure to oral language as well as vocabulary. Website is http://www.wordsmart.com
Neither of the above programs was specifically designed for ESL. I’m quite sure the SR CD would be useful, but I’m only moderately certain the WordSmart CD would be useful. He might need something else that covers basic vocabulary before transitioning into WordSmart.
Nancy