Presents a case for not using a reading scheme in a reading program. Proposes instead a language experience approach in which children first read written transcriptions of their own oral language and then use a variety of published books. (JL)

A project was undertaken to help low-literate Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) members develop the reading and writing skills needed to participate fully in AA/NA programs. A training program consisting of three 1.5-hour-long sessions and accompanying training guidelines were developed and used to train 21 student and 7 tutor…

The adult basic education teacher of undereducated adults must know how to use techniques and materials that ensure success at the most basic levels. The language experience approach is one of the most effective techniques to use with these learners. Of the four language experience methods, the dictation and transcription methods are best suited…

This booklet describes techniques for teaching reading with teacher-made materials to students with autism. A modified language experience approach built around the Dolch Basic Sight Word List is used, incorporating familiar names and words of importance for each child. Readiness skills are incorporated into the approach as well as an emphasis on…

Simplification of reading materials for lower-level English for special purposes (ESP) instruction may make texts comprehensible, but it may not make them much different from texts written 50 years ago. What will make them different is their authenticity, an approach characteristic of ESP, even at the lowest levels. However, authenticity is often…

This handbook on teaching reading in vocational education is designed to provide vocational education teachers with a resource to use in helping students to develop sound reading skills. Provided in the handbook are information sheets, self-checks, practice activities, and suggestions for further reading dealing with the following topics:…

A teacher-training project was conducted in Northern Nevada to identify the needs of recent immigrants, to create materials that will meet those needs while keeping on a basic, survival level of English proficiency, and to develop techniques to retain the individuals in class once they have been attracted into the educational program. The project…

This practitioner's guide was developed for instructors in schools and business and industry who need to gather materials and design, develop, and implement job-specific basic skills programs. It provides a practical model for establishing cost-effective basic skills and literacy programs. It also provides practical advice about how to use the…

The ARIN Adult Learning Center in Indiana, Pennsylvania conducted a project to develop language arts and consumer mathematics curriculums for O-4 level adult basic education (ABE) students. Using the five knowledge areas of the adult performance levels as established by the University of Texas, (consumer economics, health, occupational knowledge,…

A curriculum development project undertaken by English-as-a-second-language (ESL) teachers resulted in a major reorientation to reading instruction for adult ESL students. The course uses materials, often developed by the teachers, that systematically address reading problems, ongoing revision, and student interests. (Author/CB)

Two groups of teachers of English as a second language (ESL), a California group of 133 and a Venezuelan group of 55, were surveyed about their perceived areas of instructional need. The three top needs of the California group were ESL instruction in the content areas, program design for preliterate students, and materials development. The needs…

The curriculum guide for teachers of Spanish language arts for native Spanish-speaking primary students in the Chicago public schools' bilingual education program is introduced by a section on preparing instructional material for this group and a section defining the areas to be emphasized in the program: word attack, comprehension skills, study…

The curriculum guide for teachers of Spanish language arts for native Spanish-speaking primary students in the Chicago public schools' bilingual education program is introduced by a section on preparing instructional material for this group and a section defining the areas to be emphasized in the program: word attack, comprehension skills, study…

Materials designed to enable regular classroom teachers and teachers of English as a second language (ESL) to meet the needs of limited English proficient (LEP) students in elementary school are presented. The guide contains an introductory section for teachers, followed by sections on: adapting reading materials for LEP students; identifying LEP…

This methods and materials guide for native language instruction for immigrants in British elementary and secondary schools includes discussions of the needs of the learners, the traditional approach to native language instruction, experimentation with new methods through bilingual books, the teaching of reading for information and pleasure, the…