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Transformative ABC Learning: A Three-Year Odyssey for Struggling ESL Learners in Grades 7-9

Writer's picture: Keren YerushalmiKeren Yerushalmi
Dec 20, 20232 min read

 

Welcome to a classroom where the conventional rules of education take a backseat, and the journey of learning ABCs unfolds in a unique and transformative way. In this blog, we'll delve into the extraordinary experience of teaching English to struggling ESL learners, emphasizing the gradual process of mastering the alphabet from grade 7 through grade 9. This unconventional approach not only focuses on letter recognition but extends to reading, writing phonetics, fostering self-confidence, and creating an environment rich with tools to help students reach their educational goals.

The ABCs: A Three-Year Odyssey

In the typical education system, learning the alphabet is confined to the early years of elementary school. However, in my classroom, we embrace a more gradual and personalized approach. The journey begins in grade 7, where students embark on the path of understand ding and mastering the ABCs. This extended timeframe allows for a deeper, more comprehensive exploration of each letter and its phonetic nuances.

 

Reading Mastery

 

As the students progress from grade 7 to grade 9, they not only learn to identify and write the letters but also delve into the world of reading. The curriculum is designed to progressively introduce words, sentences, and eventually paragraphs. This gradual immersion allows struggling learners to build their reading skills at a pace that suits their individual needs.

 

Writing Phonetics

 

Understanding the connection between letters and their sounds is a crucial aspect of language acquisition. In our ESL classroom, we place a strong emphasis on phonetics. From basic sound recognition in grade 7 to constructing phonetically accurate words and sentences by grade 9, students develop a solid foundation in phonics that enhances both their reading and writing abilities.

 

Building Self-Confidence:

 

One of the most rewarding aspects of this unconventional ABC journey is the boost in self-confidence experienced by our ESL learners. By providing a supportive and encouraging environment, students feel empowered to take risks, ask questions, and actively participate in their own learning. This confidence extends beyond the English classroom, positively impacting other aspects of their academic and personal lives.

 

Classroom Environment:

 

To facilitate this transformative journey, our classroom is equipped with a variety of tools and resources. Colorful charts, interactive games, and engaging activities are strategically placed to reinforce letter recognition, reading, and phonetic skills. Additionally, personalized learning materials cater to individual learning styles, ensuring that each student has the support they need to succeed.

 

Conclusion:

 

In the realm of ESL education, the journey from grade 7 to grade 9 is a critical period for struggling learners. By reimagining the conventional approach to teaching the ABCs, we have created a classroom where students not only learn to read and write but also develop self-confidence and a love for learning. This unconventional process emphasizes the importance of personalized education, fostering a deeper connection between students and the English language. The result? A group of learners who not only master the ABCs but also discover the joy and fulfilment of language acquisition on their unique educational journey

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English Day Clip

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To create an English day, follow these general steps:

  1. Choose a topic:                                                                                                                Decide on a theme for your English day. It could be a particular subject like astronomy, friendship or animals.                                                            

  2. Plan activities:                                                                                                     Once you have selected a topic, brainstorm a list of activities that would be engaging and relevant to the theme. You can include a variety of activities such as games, quizzes, discussions, role-plays, and writing tasks. Include sports activities to promote language learning and physical fitness (click here to see examples ). Be sure to make the activities age-appropriate and aligned with the learning objectives.-                          **********To make the activities more relevant to the English Day topic, lower-grade students could create crowns, bookmarks, bracelets, and other crafts using simple words related to the theme. This will not only be fun and engaging but also help them learn new vocabulary in a creative way.                                                                                       

  3. Create stations:                                                                                                          Divide the activities into different stations. Each station should have a specific focus and set of materials. For example, one station could be a vocabulary station where students learn new words related to the theme. or maybe a Category Station (For this Category Station use cardboard or bottles  (click to see examples).  Another station could be a writing station where students write a letter, essay, or story about the topic. You can also have a reading station, a listening station, and a speaking station.                            

  4. Prepare materials:                                                                                           Gather all the materials needed for each station, such as flashcards, worksheets, and audio recordings. Make sure that all materials are appropriate and related to the theme.                                                                       

  5. Set up the stations:                                                                                          Arrange the stations around the classroom or a designated space. Each station should have clear instructions and guidelines for students to follow. You can also have a timer or schedule to keep students on track and ensure that they visit all the stations.                                                                    

  6. Implement the activities:                                                                                      On the day of the English day, introduce the theme and explain the activities to the students. Let them explore and engage with each station at their own pace. You can also have volunteers or teachers to assist students with any questions or difficulties.                                                                 

  7. Evaluate the outcomes:                                                                                         At the end of the English day, ask students to reflect on their learning and share their feedback. Evaluate the outcomes of the activities and assess if they met the learning objectives. Use the feedback to improve the English day for future events.                                                                                                        

To illustrate an example of how to create an English day, let's use the topic of        *******Friendship*******:

  1. Choose a topic: Friendship.

  2. Plan activities: Flashcard vocabulary game, letter writing activity,              foot-hands game with friendship sentences like:       "A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself." - Jim Morrison or "The only way to have a friend is to be one." - Ralph Waldo Emerson. Print each sentence and give them to the students to read while moving on to the footprints game. The use of friendship quotes (or any other topic you choose) in the foot-hands game is a nice game, as it encourages students to think about the meaning behind the quotes while engaging in a fun and active game. Overall, it's a well-organized and thoughtful plan for a lesson on friendship.  click here to learn more about the footprints game.

  3. Create stations:                                                                                                   Vocabulary station, writing station, game station

  4. Prepare materials:                                                                                            Flashcards with astronomy words, letter writing prompts, foot-hands game sentences                                                                                                                  

  5. As part of the promotion and public relations for English Day, one idea could be to print out riddles with QR codes that students can scan and upload their answers to a Google Form. Another creative way to promote the English Day topic could be to place English words on the stairs of the school.                                                                                                                        Last thing!!!- Decorating the walls is also a great way to promote English Day! You could create posters and banners with catchy phrases and graphics related to the theme of the event. This will not only create a festive atmosphere but also remind students and teachers about the upcoming English Day. A big thanks to my dearest friend Victoria Brachman for sharing her super creative ideas for English Day!                      The above ideas could be effective in generating interest and excitement for the event. Click here to see examples 

  6. Set up the stations:                                                                                      Vocabulary station with flashcards and matching activity, writing station with writing prompts and paper, game station with foot-hands game cards

  7. Implement the activities:                                                                                Introduce the theme of astronomy and explain the activities to the students. Let them explore and engage with each station at their own pace. Monitor the activities and provide assistance if needed.

  8. Evaluate the outcomes:                                                                                        Ask students to share their feedback and evaluate if the activities met the learning objectives, such as learning new vocabulary, improving writing skills, and understanding astronomy concepts. Use the feedback to improve the English day for future events.   Click so see my English Day. Good Luck. Noa Arazi, Hod Hasharon.

  9.  Orly Arye's English Day 

  10. Orly Arye's English Day 2

  11. Orly's English Day 3

  12. Hanni Farhat's English Day

  13. Hanni Farhat's English Day 2 Master Chef

  14. Hanni Farhat's English Day 3 Under the Water Day

  15. Hanni Farhat's English Day 4   Hanuckh Party

  16. Hanni Farhat 4 Dr. De Bono

  17. ​

  18. ***** To get the downloadable materials, please visit the                                           "Free Printables" section on the homepage.           

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