The place I am teaching is actually mostly a computer training school; I have a few ESL classes for adults, mostly Chinese immigrants. These are the pick of the crop academically (immigration from China is highly competitive) and mostly have advanced degrees themselves. This works both for them and against them; they’re really bright and good students, read very well up to a certain limit, but their language habits are fixed and they have trouble bringing themselves back to basics and practicing simple oral forms. The school has installed sound cards and microphones in all the computers in two labs, and we are planning to use them as language labs to help. I need suggestions for computer CD programs for ESL — the ones with pronunciation practice included. Good depth of concept and vocabulary is vital to hold these students’ interest. Anything you have found useful would be greatly appreciated.
Re: Shay, Cheryl, and others - slightly off-topic ESL questi
There are different kinds of guided reading. I have been using the 4 blocks framework to teach reading in my special ed classroom this year. This framework has 4 distinct parts to it. The Word block teaches phonics, guided reading teaches comprehension skills. It is the explicit teaching of comprehension strategies. there is no read and hope as far as comprehension. The next block is Self Selected reading. Everyone reads individually on their level. The teacher conferences and works individually with each student. The last block is the Writing block. This block is the language block. All 4 blocks combined provide a balanced approach to teaching reading, writing and comprehension. I have never seen such enthusiasm for reading from my students. I have found the way to teach skills so that they are meaningful and useable by my students. It is wonderful.
Re: Shay, Cheryl, and others - slightly off-topic ESL questi
sounds wonderful, but possibly too expensive for my boss (small shoestring operation in early growth stage)
Victoria, On the homeschool boards, the only foreign language computer programs that seem to receive universal praise are the ones by Rosetta Stone (except people there have not recommended it as a way to learn Latin—perhaps because most people who learn it don’t do so to speak it.) They have a program for ESL—from looking at the website it appears that this was the company’s jumping off point. They have two levels of learning and for ESL and Spanish you can get workbooks to go with both. It is not cheap-$295 for each level for single copies (less for quantity orders). You can order a free demo CD for ESL. Website is www.rosettastone.com. I think it would be worth looking at for your purposes.