This document discusses strategies for teaching mixed-level adult ESL classes with both literate and non-literate learners. It recommends systematizing instruction using a lesson plan template that differentiates activities into multiple paths at different levels. Examples are provided for differentiating listening tasks, calendars, dictation, and worksheets. The use of learning stations, volunteers, technology, and textbooks is also covered. Creating a strong classroom community is emphasized through techniques like varying groupings, projects, and whole-group activities.

1. Navigating the Zero-One Split: Serving Both Literate and Non-literate Learners in the Beginning Adult ESL Class Suzanne Gilchrist McCurdy

2. Introductions Suzanne Gilchrist McCurdy Hamline University, TEFL and ESL Programs Adjunct Instructor St. Paul Community Literacy Consortium, Instructional Support Consultant

3. Turn to those around you: What is your role within your organization? Briefly talk together; finish this sentence: Teaching a mixed-literacy classroom is_______________.

4. Let’s move away from thinking about teaching mixed-literacy classes like conducting a three-ring circus…

5. And move to thinking about our work as similar to conducting an orchestra.

6. Today’s objectives: Participants will be able to: Articulate both challenges and opportunities present in a zero-one classroom. Systematize instruction by using a zero-one lesson template. Identify 3-5 new differentiated activities to use in their classrooms. Produce independent learning stations appropriate for their learners. Access support for learning through volunteers, well-chosen materials, a strong classroom community, and technology.

7. Think about your class If you had to draw your class, how does it break up literacy-wise? Oral proficiency wise? When lesson planning, what “subgroups” are you thinking about?

8. Multi-level to the max Varying levels of L1: Pre-literate, non-literate, semi-literate, non-alphabet literate, non-Roman alphabet literate Varying oral skills: True beginning, low-beginning, conversational, and up Zero-One classes are anything but tidy.

9. The Essential Skill Set for Effective Multilevel Instruction

10. Share one thing you do that addresses one of these areas…

11. Systematizing Multi-level Lesson Planning (aka...making planning easier!) A Lesson Plan Template A way to plan effective, thoughtful lessons for multiple levels.

13. Multilevel in Action New American Horizons Foundation Adult ESL Training Videos: Working with a Multilevel Class http://www.newamericanhorizons.org/training-videos

14. Differentiating Activities Vary 1 task instead of making 3 different tasks. Different paths, all moving forward.

15. Differentiation Example 1: Letter Tiles Letter tiles – a word is dictated by the teacher higher level learners spell out the word lower level choose the letter the word starts with, and only have 2 tiles to chose from

16. Differentiation Example 2: Listening Task

17. Differentiated Listening Task: (Level 1) Learners circle the words they hear: bananas bread oranges chicken milk apples cookies eggs rice ************************************************* (Level 2) Learners fill in chart. How much does Megan want of each item?

18. Differentiated Listening Task: (Level 3) Learners answer questions. What are the items Megan wants from the store? How much does she want of each item? ************************************************* (Level 3 or higher) Learners do a dictation of dialogue.

19. Differentiation Example: Calendar 1

20. Differentiation Example: Calendar 2

21. Differentiation Example: Calendar 3

22. Differentiation Example: Running Dictation Running Dictation for multiple levels

23. Differentiation Example: Working in Groups

24. Your turn How could learners use this same picture at three different levels? How could they use it in mixed-ability groups?

25. Differentiating a Worksheet How can you provide access for all learners to textbook materials?

27. Using Learning Stations Small group or individual activities Give learners tools needed to complete activities

28. Stations, some ideas… Extensivereading Matching tasks

29. Stations, some ideas: Memory matching game Independent writing tasks

30. Stations, some ideas: Word families/phonics

31. Video from MORE program in St. Paul

32. Talk with a partner briefly: Have you used stations? Benefits? Disadvantages?

33. Final thoughts on stations Build routine with station types, but use different content. Avoid thinking of stations as a way to keep learners “busy”.

34. Support for learning: Using Volunteers

35. Volunteers Online training course “Literacy Level ESL Instruction” at http://online.themlc.org Allow volunteers to take on responsibility Give specific objectives Discuss best practices and why they work How do you use volunteers in the classroom? What kind of effort have you had to put in to make it succeed?

36. Support for Learning: Using Technology www.esl-literacy.com Click on Toolbox, then Technology

37. Textbooks Textbook suggestions? (Ventures) http://www.cambridge.org/us/esl/venturesadulted/ www.multilingualminnesota.org Reference list

38. Places to visit www.multilingualminnesota.org www.esl-literacy.com www.themlc.org www.leslla.org

39. Revisiting today’s objectives: Participants will be able to: Articulate both challenges and opportunities present in a zero-one classroom. Systematize instruction by using a zero-one lesson template. Identify 3-5 new differentiated activities to use in their classrooms. Produce independent learning stations appropriate for their learners. Access support for learning through volunteers, well-chosen materials, a strong classroom community, and technology.

40. Questions?Comments?Thank you for your participation.

41. Classroom Community Learner-centered environment Reduce level stigma Encourage cooperative learning Delegate classroom responsibilities Other ideas?

42. Classroom Community Use a variety of groupings (like/cross) Physical environment Find ways for every learner to be an expert Projects (posters, garden, cookbook, what else?) Always start and end with whole group activities Have a greeter! Group discussion: How do you create community? Tips for us? New Horizons video?