Re using IT with pre-entry (ie low levels of literacy) ESOL Learners -
we include IT on all our courses for students with zero or very low
levels of literacy.  This is very successful, partly because of the
following factors:
a)  Students have solid teaching to develop their basic English Literacy
skills.  They produce short, often personalised texts, in their English
classes and these are the texts that they type in IT classes.  (They
also practise other computer functions, eg using the internet).
b)  For a class of 16 students, we are double staffed and have a
volunteer too.
c)  Teachers always make sure that students can read whatever they are
typing.
d)  Students use an appropriate font, large size eg 20.
These students are very enthusiastic about their IT classes!

-----Original Message-----
From: ESOL-Research discussion forum and message board
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Hann, Naeema
Sent: 10 March 2008 10:19
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: ESOL and on-line learning-urgent[Scanned]

My experience has been very different. Students from Entry 1 onwards are
very interested in learning to use computers. The men in particular say
that this raises their status with their children as well as peers.
Entry 1 learners are able to learn mouse and basic keyboard skills and
those literate in L1 are able to access sites in L1. I have seen this
make an enormous difference to their self confidence and self image.
They have also talked about improved communication with their children a
few weeks into the course.

So how can this be facilitated. Little and often has worked very well
with Entry1 learners. Also, getting them to work in pairs with one PC
between them with structured actvities which give plenty of practice,
bears results.

In my previous team we also used computers successfully with learners
with no or minimum literacy in L1 as computers allowed them to produce
'writing' without waiting for the motor skills skills needed for
writing, to develop. They did develop the latter as well, but being able
to see text they had produced in legible form, early in their learning,
gave a real boost!


naeema

-----Original Message-----
From: ESOL-Research discussion forum and message board
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Cheryl Thornett
Sent: 07 March 2008 13:41
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: ESOL and on-line learning-urgent


My first reaction is to query whether such learners would have access to
the 
technology or sufficient knowledge to use IT for on-line learning even
if 
they have a computer at home. I'm not aware of any research or
materials, 
but many of my students (clearly not in the hard-to-reach category and
not 
low level) are reluctant to use IT or say they do not have access to
home 
computers or do not have a computer at home. Some do, but others are 
reluctant to use IT even in a classroom setting.

Cheryl Thornett
ESOL tutor
Birmingham Adult Education

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Pam Frame" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, March 07, 2008 12:06 PM
Subject: ESOL and on-line learning-urgent


>
> We are being asked by DIUS to comment on the development of an ESOL 
> portal for on-line learning  -and by next Tuesday! Does anybody know 
> of any clear and authoritative research or effective materials 
> relevant to the development of on-line English language learning by 
> low level (Entry) and/or 'hard-to-reach ESOL learners.In particular do

> you have any information about any successful international 
> development of such resources.
>
> The link if you interested in following up is 
> http://www.englishforlifeandwork.co.uk/
>
> Pam Frame
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.21.3 - Release Date: 01/03/2008
> 00:00
>

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ESOL-Research is a forum for researchers and practitioners with an interest in research into teaching and learning ESOL. ESOL-Research is managed by James Simpson at the Centre for Language Education Research, School of Education, University of Leeds.
To join or leave ESOL-Research, visit
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