Return-Path: <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id hB44gim14302; Wed, 3 Dec 2003 23:42:44 -0500 (EST) Date: Wed, 3 Dec 2003 23:42:44 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <06eb01c3ba23$0e912200$6401a8c0@pp200> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Dottie Shattuck" <dottie@shattuck.net> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-ESL:9689] RE: literature/childrens/ya X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2800.1158 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-Type: text/plain; Status: O Content-Length: 3557 Lines: 96 Early in my career/training in adult ESL, I was warned not to use children's materials with adults. While well-meaning, that advice was impractical. There simply wasn't much in high-interest, beginning skill level reading material for adults 17-18 years ago. Fortunately, my nearest library (in Milwaukee) was very sensitive to new readers, regardless of their age or language background. The library shelved all their non-fiction together; there was no "juvenile" section. New readers, whether ESL, ABE, or GED adults or children, could find appropriate materials. There was no "stigma" of its being a child's book. As for fiction, I've found it usually is acceptable to ESL adults if I present the book as for "new English readers" or "this is good to read to your child; it's good practice for you & the child." My students always seem to enjoy stories that have multi-generation characters or folktales from any culture. Patricia Polacco's books are especially popular with the high beginners & intermediates. My older adults really like "The Wednesday Surprise" by Eve Bunting (a little girl helps her grandmother learn to read). Many of these books have audio-cassettes too. The teacher 's attitude toward the materials often influence the students' attitudes. Dottie Shattuck Tri-District Adult Edu. Clover, SC dottie@shattuck.net ----- Original Message ----- From: <bodman@ucc.edu> To: "Multiple recipients of list" <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 10:25 PM Subject: [NIFL-ESL:9687] RE: literature/childrens/ya | I agree that some children's literature is outstanding and the art can be | wonderful. However, some adult students take offense at being taught from | children's materials. (I have found this to be especially true of educated | adults and Eastern Europeans.) They feel infantile enough just having to | make baby noises and little sentences to express themselves. They want very | much to be treated as mature, learning adults. In other words, be careful | about using children's things. Try to find simple materials with themes | that are of interest to adults. | | Jean Bodman | Union County College | bodman@ucc.edu | Work: 908-965-6096 | Home: 609-695-6567 | | | -----Original Message----- | From: james phillips [mailto:jphilip@tenet.edu] | Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 9:09 PM | To: Multiple recipients of list | Subject: [NIFL-ESL:9686] literature/childrens/ya | | | NIFL-ESL Teachers!!!! | | Wouldn't today's American literature for children and young | adults be a great source for students of ESL for teaching literature. | And, excerpts from these can be found in public school literature books | also. | | I'm thinking of books by Tomie de Paola, Chris van Allsburg, | Louis Sachar, Eve Bunting, and many more. There are picture books and | beginning chapter books. I think some todays best art is found in | today's childrens books. And, some are great for reading aloud. | | There's the Newbery and Caldecott winners and each state has | a winner. For example, each year Texas Library Association presents the | Bluebonnet book award that is selected from 20 books read and voted by | 3-6 graders. | | jp | | James Phillips, MLS | Librarian | South Texas Community College | Dr. Ramiro R. Casso Nursing and Allied Health Center | 1101 East Vermont | McAllen, Texas 78501 | 956-683-3121 | 956-683-3190 (fax) | www.stcc.cc.tx.us | www.stcc.cc.tx.us/nah | phillips@stcc.cc.tx.us | jphilip@tenet.edu | se habla español | | | |
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