A subject guide presentation by Anna Iwanski

resources for the adult ESL student

This particular topic- ESL (English as a Second Language) Resources- was chosen for supplementing a public library in order that non-native Americans might be able to find the resources they need for learning English. As an ESL tutor myself, I realize that once a student graduates from an ESL program that she may not be aware of the free resources available to her virtually or traditionally. Therefore it is my goal in this presentation to devise a list of supplemental resources that are usable for beginner to advanced ESL students in order to continue their English studies through personal instruction.

The titles following, in a range of formats from websites, CDs and books are geared towards their use as both educational and recreational materials.

To best fit the intended audience, all the resources that follow are free and accessible either through a public library or through a computer at home.

Introduction

• Adelson-Goldstein, J., & Shapiro, N. (2009). Oxford picture dictionary. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

• Non-circulating item.

• This dictionary is excellent for any level ESL student with its color pictures and Spanish vocabulary to help associate each item with its English translation.

• Common English words are broken down into sections and further specified to topics (for example, time and measurements).

• An index, entirely in Spanish, links to the page where the English word can be found.

• Also included are lists of regular/irregular verbs and English pronunciations.

•

Oxford Picture Dictionary

• a4esl.org is an ideal resource for free grammar and vocabulary practice. Quizzes range in level from easy to difficult. Some basic level vocabulary quizzes also include pictures for associating the word with the item.

• There are also a range of bilingual quizzes for fifty different languages (all are paired with English).

• The Internet TESL Journal. (2013). Activities for esl students. In a4esl.org. Retrieved from a4esl.org.

• Website, free access.

a4esl.org

News stories with downloadable audio files and Youtube news stories by the site authors with closed captioning allow for guided practice. New news stories are posted frequently.

Another valuable resource for learners is the Daily Page for ESL Students, which gives a new quiz, slang and word of the day. It also links to dictionaries, search engines and daily pronunciation practice.

All resources are labeled and accessible by the main page, which is divided in half by English Only and Two Languages.

A4esl.org continued.

• The main feature of this website are the listening quizzes—both basic and general levels in easy to hard levels—each of which has the learners listen to a brief sound clip of a conversation in English and then to answer questions about what they heard.

• Once lessons are graded (in a matter of seconds), the correct answers are revealed.

• Davis. R. (2013). Randall’s esl cyber listening lab. Esl-lab.com. Retrieved from www. Esl-lab.com.

• Website, free access.

Esl-lab.com

• There are also academic-geared quizzes ranged from easy to hard which are practice for the TOEFL/TOEIC tests.

• Vocabulary lessons offer about 20 words per lesson topic with audio of a speaker saying the words aloud to help with pronunciation. A few practice questions follow each lesson.

• All features of the website are grouped into six topics on the main page, which are labeled and allow for simple navigation.

ESL-Lab continued

• Collis, H. (1987). 101 American English idioms. New York: McGraw.

• This books explains many of the common American idioms that are likely to be heard in in the conversations. Each page is a single entry with half the page dedicated to an ingenious illustration of the idiom and the rest of the page gives a brief explanation of the idiom and a short story showing how it is used.

• Although the resource is several years old, its format makes it an ideal learning resource for an advanced ESL student. It is entirely in English.

• An index at the end simply lists the idioms and their meanings.

101 American English Idioms

• Fogarty, M. (2011). Grammar girl’s 101 misused words you’ll never confuse again. New York: Mignon Fogarty, Inc.

This book differs between often confusing word uses– for example, imply versus infer—noting their proper uses and often giving tips for how to remember the differences.

Small, relatively easy book for advanced ESL students that helps with proper English usage and understanding. It is entirely in English and laid out with one entry per page so the information does not feel too overwhelming.

Contains no table of contents nor index. Instead, the entries are alphabetized in the book.

Grammar Girl’s 101 misused words

Barber, T. (n.d.) Famous firsts series. (Vols. 1-5). Edmonton, Alberta: Grass Roots Press.

This nonfiction series is an ideal supplementary resource for beginner/intermediate ESL students. These books offer the chance to develop practice through reading without resorting to children’s materials.

The books are written at a 5th grade reading level, but are specifically written for adults with topics they may find relevant.

Books in this series also include Matthew Henson & Robert Perry and First Women in Space.

Famous Firsts Series

• This self-teaching resource ranges twelve separate lessons, each with a cd, dvd, reading and an exercise book.

• Lesson topics begin simple with greetings and then progress to everyday vocabulary such as food and clothing, heath, with the final lesson going over information for the citizenship test.

• The rate and method of learning the lessons are chosen by the learner.

• Circulating resource

• Lexicon Publications. (2007). Ingles sin barreras. Los Angelos, CA: Lexicon Publications.

Ingles sin Barreras

• This fiction series, written by a collection of Irish authors, was written specifically for low-English literate adult students.

• Books are written between 2-6 grade levels. They are between 70- 114 pages.

• These books allow for ESL students to enjoy easy to read fiction as they work on learning the language.

• Authors include Joseph O’Connor, Michael Scott and Cecelia Ahern.

Scanlan, P. (Ed.). (2002-present). Open Door Series. (Vols. 1-12). Edmonton, Alberta: Grass Roots Press.

Open Door Series

• This CD presents vocabulary specific to interviewing and jobs making it ideal for an ESL student wanting to learn those specific terms in order to find a job.

• The CD is only one hour and comes with a phrase booklet for referring to the vocabulary.

• Ingles para Entrevistas de Trabajo= English for Job Interviews. (2007). [Compact Disk]. Miami, Fla. : NPG Music.

Ingles para Entrevistas de Trabajo

• This is a helpful resource for users who learn best through listening to English rather than speaking it. The format of the device allows it to be taken and played anywhere.

• The lessons consist of a word and phrase of the day in addition to an English conversation that is first presented slowly and then at normal speed.

• The playaway is 1 ½ hours and only requires AAA batteries and headphones.

• Urban English Social. Volume 2, Music, movies, sports and games: Casual American English for Spanish speakers. (n.d.) [Sound recording (Playaway)]. Solon, OH : Findaway World.

Urban English Social (playaway)

If you need more help, or have questions about any of these resources, ask a librarian. They will also be happy to point you towards more resources for learning English.

Conclusion

• Adelson-Goldstein, J., & Shapiro, N. (2009). Oxford picture dictionary. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

• Barber, T. (n.d.) Famous firsts series. (Vols. 1-5). Edmonton, Alberta: Grass Roots Press.

• Collis, H. (1987). 101 American English idioms. New York: McGraw.

• Davis. R. (2013). Randall’s esl cyber listening lab. Esl-lab.com. Retrieved from www. Esl-lab.com.

• Fogarty, M. (2011). Grammar girl’s 101 misused words you’ll never confuse again. New York: Mignon Fogarty, Inc.

• Ingles para Entrevistas de Trabajo= English for Job Interviews. (2007). [Compact Disk]. Miami, Fla. : NPG Music.

• The Internet TESL Journal. (2013). Activities for esl students. a4esl.org. Retrieved from a4esl.org.

• Lexicon Publications. (2007). Ingles sin barreras. Los Angelos, CA: Lexicon Publications.

• Scanlan, P. (Ed.). (2002-present). Open Door Series. (Vols. 1-12). Edmonton, Alberta: Grass Roots Press.

• Urban English Social. Volume 2, Music, movies, sports and games: Casual American English for Spanish speakers. (n.d.) [Sound recording (Playaway)]. Solon, OH : Findaway World.

Bibliography