Rewordify [http://rewordify.com/index.php] is a site which translates all the hard words in your informastion into words you can understand. Keep it in your quick links if you are an ESL student or find formal English difficult to understand.
You can also use google to find easy-to-read texts: In Google, go to the Options (gear symbol, top right of the screen), Advanced Search and scroll down to Reading Level. You have options like Annotate results with reading levels; or Show only basic results. Make your choice, make sure you click on Advanced search (blue button at the bottom of the screen) and then go searching for what you want.
You can also use google to find easy-to-read texts: In Google, go to the Options (gear symbol, top right of the screen), Advanced Search and scroll down to Reading Level. You have options like Annotate results with reading levels; or Show only basic results. Make your choice, make sure you click on Advanced search (blue button at the bottom of the screen) and then go searching for what you want.
ESL
Teaching students who have a limited understanding of the English language can be a daunting task. Since ESL students speak a different language at home, some of them do not know the meanings of simple English words and phrases, and it can be difficult for teachers to communicate with them. Nevertheless, teachers can exercise more patience and try to find the right ways to help to their students become more proficient in the language. Here are a number of effective strategies for teaching ESL.
Understand the Individual Needs of Students
In an ESL classroom, English language proficiency and academic experience among students can vary greatly. In order to help every student improve, teachers have to understand every individual student’s level of language proficiency and educational history. The best way to make lessons comprehensible to all students is to replace difficult texts with simpler terms. They should not use oversimplified vocabulary because some students may find this insulting. It is important for ESL teachers to establish a more personal relationship with every student and their family. Simple actions such as pronouncing the students’ names correctly and showing interest in their cultures will go a long way in giving students a more pleasant learning experience.
- The Needs of ESL Learners: A summary of the complex needs of (ESL students).
- Understanding the Needs of ESL Students: This excellent article shows how ESL teachers can understand and meet the needs of their students.
- Resources for Working with ESL Students: An extensive collection of materials that can help teachers work better with their ESL students.
- Successful ESL Strategies: Read about an experienced high school teacher’s successful ESL strategies.
Read more: Strategies for Teaching ESL Student - ESL Students in the Classroom
Make Sure that Students Know What is Going On in Class
Some ESL students do not have sufficient knowledge of the English language to understand the instructions that are provided by their teachers. As such, they may not know exactly what is going on in their classes. Teachers have to encourage their students to ask for clarification when they do not understand certain instructions. During the course of a lesson, they have to let their students know which points are important and give them more time to ask questions. At the end of the lesson, they should ask the students to write down all the things that they have learned and aspects of the lesson that they are unsure of. Then, they can use the information to provide better clarification at the beginning of the next lesson.
- ESL Classroom Management: Golden rules for managing ESL students in the classroom.
- Motivating ESL Students: Great advice for ESL teachers who have problems motivating their students.
- Teaching ESL FAQ: Frequently asked questions about teaching ESL.
Help Students Speak English More Comprehensibly
There is no need for ESL teachers to eliminate accents when they are teaching their students to pronounce English words. The important thing is to teach them to speak comprehensibly. Teachers should speak clearly and repeat words that are difficult to pronounce, and they can help their students learn how individual sounds are produced by showing the right positions and movements of tongue and lips. Students should be encouraged to speak slowly, so that their pronunciation will be clearer and more accurate.
- Teaching ESL Pronunciation: This website offers helpful advice on how to teach ESL students to pronounce English words correctly.
- ESL Pronunciation Resources: Links to websites that provide tips and materials for teaching ESL pronunciation.
- Teaching Intonation and Stress: A document that reveals the right methods for teaching intonation and stress to English students.
Encourage Students to Speak English Outside Class
To help ESL students make better progress, teachers should encourage them to converse more frequently with native English speakers. Also, they can ask their students to speak more English at home or take part in activities that require them to speak or read English.
- ESL Teaching Strategies: Comprehensive guide to teaching ESL.
- ESL Classroom Techniques: List of techniques that can be used to make ESL lessons more effective.
Read more: Strategies for Teaching ESL Student - ESL Students in the Classroom
Referenced from ESL Partyland.http://www.eslpartyland.com/teaching-esl-student