Literacy and Second Language Learners

When selecting and evaluating reading materials for ESL students, I think that there are several important factors to consider. One of the things that should be considered in selecting texts is vocabulary. Texts should be rich in vocabulary that help ESL students build understanding of a certain concept or idea. Texts should also have good illustrations that reflect what the text is portraying. ESL students can benefit greatly from reading materials that have good pictures. Pictures and realia are very effective in helping ESL students build a more complete knowledge of what is being taught. Reading materials should also build on a student's background knowledge and prior experiences. Texts should be authentic so that students can relate to them. In addition, reading materials that are culturally diverse is important. When I was student teaching, I had two ESL boys in my first grade class. One day I had picked out a book for a lesson called Froggy Plays Soccer. Both of these boys were completely engaged in this story, and this book spurred one of the students on to continue to read nearly all of the books in this series. They loved it! One of the reasons that they loved this book is because they could relate to it. It was about soccer, and both of them played soccer. Afterwards, we found out that the library carried bilingual versions of the Froggy books that had English and Spanish. One of the little boys volunteered to read some of his book aloud to the class in both languages, which was completely out of character for him. It was an experience that I will not forget, because I saw how one piece of literature lit a fire in this student for reading and for participating in class!

In promoting literacy among ESL students, I believe that it is important to develop literacy skills in both the L1 and the L2. Especially younger students who are not literate in the L1 when they come to school can benefit from developing skills in both languages. In addition, I think that parents can help play a huge role by promoting literacy at home by reading with their child. At school, we learn literacy skills and do a lot of reading, but students can really benefit from the extra practice that happens at home. Also, parents could read with students in the L1 and that would still promote literacy in the L2. Vocabulary is a huge part of literacy development for second language learners as well. ESL students need instruction about words and need to begin forming word knowledge and meaning through studying vocabulary words that they come in contact with.