Tools for Teaching Adult English Language Learners

Teachers, tutors, and volunteers, and program administrators need many and diverse tools to effectively serve the needs of adult English language learners. To make it easier for the various groups of practitioners to find the information they seek they need, this section of the CAELA Web site is divided in two sections, Instructional Tools for teachers, tutors, and volunteers, and Program Development Tools for local, regional, and state administrators, professional developers, and others. In some cases, the resources are the same.

Instructional Tools

Teachers, tutors, and volunteers who work with adult English language learners work in many contexts (e.g., general ESL, workplace, one-on-one tutoring, family literacy, etc) and in many types of organizations (e.g., public schools and libraries, community and faith-based groups, community colleges and other higher education institutions, literacy volunteers, and correctional facilities). However, practitioners in all of these areas often share the same challenges—limited planning time and limited resources. To make finding CAELA resources easier CAELA resources have been categorized (below). References and links to other topical references will be found within the specific CAELA resources themselves.

Program Development Tools

Program, regional, and state administrators of adult ESL programs may have different concerns, needs, and perspectives than teachers in their programs regarding such topics as assessment, second language acquisition, and technology. Administrators also may need to find specific resources about policy issues, program design and staff development. The list below is organized to help administrators find CAELA resources. References and links to other topical references will be found within the specific CAELA resources themselves.

Within each category, highlighted links or print citations may be found as well as a link to CAELA’s general links page.