This article describes techniques used to teach English to a 16-year-old Hispanic who is deaf. The educational plan involved vocabulary development, noting similarities and differences between Spanish and English, use of a language experience approach with principles of Sheltered English, and respect for the student's native language and culture.…

The Language Experience Approach (LEA) to teaching reading in English as a second language is described. LEA uses the student's own experiences, vocabulary, and language patterns to create texts for reading instruction. Three stages are defined for assessing learners' levels of language use. The LEA instructional procedures are designed to be…

Describes the steps involved in adapting the language experience approach for teaching second language learners in the regular classroom as: involving the discussion of student experiences and knowledge related to the text reading selection; recording student experiences and knowledge into written language; and considering student review or…

For many White Mountain Apache children, their first contact with the English language occurs in Head Start and day care programs, thus forcing them to learn to read and write a language they seldom use. This situation led the tribe to develop an Apache bilingual/bicultural program in which an orthography based on the letters of the English…

Intended for parents and educators, this monograph briefly describes the relationship between the language processes of reading and writing and suggests some ways language development can be encouraged in young children. The monograph begins by recognizing that writing is a process consisting of prewriting, writing, and rewriting, and urges…

A second grade teacher's use of storytelling to teach English language skills to both native speakers and learners of English as a second language (ESL) is described. The technique combines the concept of comprehensible input, the importance of stories and storytelling to children, and a commitment to teaching writing skills. Early in the day, all…

This nontechnical guide for parents and teachers examines learning to read from infants' babbling to the fluent reading of children reading independently for pleasure. Chapter 1, "Baby Speaks," describes language development in infancy. Chapter 2, "Our Alphabet: Language by Ear and by Eye," presents the alphabetic system and…

Guidelines for teaching reading in bilingual elementary school programs stress the need for language experiences that allow students to think in the second language. Evaluation measures other than standardized tests for assessing progress are suggested. (PMJ)

This book offers 80 original chants for teaching children to play with language, discover their ownership of language, and experiment with language. The book states that chants can provide a strategy that develops reading skills, ease in dramatic situations, sidebars in art work, communication abilities, awareness of self and environment, and…

The guide introduces literacy education volunteers to the contents and use of the Peace Corps' prepared information packet on native language literacy education (Litpak). Part 1, a guide to the packet, contains two chapters. The first chapter, an introduction to Litpak, outlines the materials' purpose, typical situations in which Peace Corps…

This book aims to help teachers who are committed to whole language principles explain the philosophy to their students' parents. It addresses the concerns of parents who most likely grew up in a traditional, teacher-centered educational system, and who therefore might be unfamiliar with a whole language approach to language arts. Drawing on work…

Many young students are not finishing high school and even fewer are entering college. This book demonstrates how some teachers have created classrooms that work for children at risk. They use an integrated, inquiry-driven curriculum to create holistic, language- and literature-based classrooms. Chapter 1 describes the nature of being at risk for…

Language activities based on connectivity, or social links between people and their experiences, can create a sense of history and belonging in a classroom community and can establish the foundation for educational curriculum. Levels of connectivity and their impact on educational curriculum are examined through a classroom example of…

Rather than concentrate on ritual language and stock phrases, second-language teachers should utilize the language experience approach to help children develop more natural communication in active learning situations, using realistic settings and materials. (six references) (MDM)

The use of invented spelling in educational programs for students with deafness is described. Students use a variety of spelling strategies, such as visual, kinesthetic, sounding out, handshape in sign language, and functional spellings. Methods of encouraging risk taking in spelling are discussed, and the changing use of spelling tests is noted.…