The following sites and materials provide information on research, resources, and/or topics of interest to ESL practitioners.
CAELA (Center for Adult English Language Acquisition)
http://www.cal.org/caela/esl_resources
CAELA staff, as well as colleagues at the Center for Applied Linguistics and in the field, have developed a variety of resources on topics of interest to adult ESL practitioners. These resources include bibliographies, books, briefs, online resource collections, digests, Q&s;As, and FAQs.
International Dyslexia Association
http://www.interdys.org
This site offers a discussion board about issues with dyslexic adults. It provides information about books and assistive technology to help educators or students.
The Internet TESL Journal
http://iteslj.org
Online monthly web journal for ESOL teachers. Includes articles about teaching and learning, as well as lesson plans, student handouts, and teaching ideas.
Literacy Assistance Center
http://www.lacnyc.org
This site offers adult literacy information. Links include GED instructional links, some of which provide very useful exercises in language arts, social studies, science, and math; classroom instruction methods; tips for evaluating websites for adult literacy; family literacy resources; and a free newsletter on adult literacy and other publications.
Low Educated Second Language and Literacy Acquisition (LESLLA) for Adults
http://www.leslla.org
LESLLA is an international forum of researchers studying the development of second language skills by adult immigrants with little or no schooling in their native countries. Website provides links to publications, databases and libraries, workshop presentations, and other websites dealing with this issue.
National Institute for Literacy (NIFL)
http://www.nifl.gov/nifl/fellowship/reports/susanc/inthome.htm
Teaching and learning with Internet-based resources. This site offers training material for teachers and tutors, provides research on what works best for adult literacy students, offers an online reading assessment tool, and offers instructions for students and teachers about how to search the Internet.
PBS Literacy Link
http://litlink.ket.org
This site offers teaching tools, lessons, and resources, assessment tools, and teacher training for GED Connection and Workplace Essential Skills, teaching tips, answer keys to the GED Connection practice tests and quizzes, information on utilization workshops and conferences, handouts, and an online learning center for adult learners offering workplace readiness, basic skills, and GED preparation. Free registration required.
Tapestry for Teachers of English Language Learners
http://www.tesol.org/s_tesol/cat_tapestry.asp?CID=1587&DID=8744
The Tapestry is an extensive resource center that has been developed for teachers and administrators in grades pre-K - 12 who work with children who are English language learners, but can also be useful to teachers and tutors of adult language learners. It presents the findings of research and teaching resources that are directly applicable in the classroom. Research included is on second language acquisition and teaching strategies. The Tapestry Library presents websites on curriculum, program and professional development, bilingualism and heritage languages, immigrants and refugees, family and community involvement, legislation and policy, government resources, and funding.
TeachersFirst.com
http://www.teachersfirst.com
This site provides a collection of lesson plans, instructional units, and web resources for teachers. Their focus is on K-12, but some of the activities would also work for adult learners (e.g., grammar worksheets, puzzles and games). There are also some family literacy/learning resources. Many of these resources can be done as online activities with students or printed and given as worksheets. Weekly emails with updates to the site are available by subscription.
Translation
http://babelfish.altavista.com
This site translates at the sentence level English/Spanish and other languages.
Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center (VALRC)
http://www.valrc.org
Source of educational resources, publications and training for teachers of adults in Virginia. Includes links to other websites, fully prepared curriculum and lesson plans (e.g., for teaching ESOL for students working in construction and landscaping), and registration for free online courses, such as one of the basics of ESOL instruction. Users can also join an adult education and literacy email list or participate in a chat room.
VALRC: Learning Disabilities Important Links
http://www.valrc.org/content/ld/ld_implinks.html
VALRC: Learning Disabilities Resources
http://www.valrc.org/content/ld/ld_resources.html
Provides links to various websites and documents dealing with learning disabilities.
