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ESL Resources

 

 

Resources

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Here is a collection of resources to assist our members in providing ESL instruction.

For a comprehensive list of Language Training services in urban centres throughout Alberta, check out the Directory of ESL Programs and Services published by the Language Assessment, Referral and Counseling Centre (LARCC) of the Catholic Social Services. For a comprehensive list of ESL Programs and Services for Immigrants and International Students in Calgary, see the ESL Directory published by the Immigrant Language and Vocational Assessment-Referral Centre (ILVARC).

Key Resources

Here are some key resources of interest to all ESL professionals.

Alberta Education English as a Second Language Learning and Teaching Resources

Alberta Education resources include ESL K-Grade 9 Guide to Implementation; ESL Senior High Guide to Implementation; authorized resources databases, and other materials for use with K-12 English as a Second Language learners. Visit http://education.alberta.ca/teachers/com/esl/resources.aspx

Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks (CCLB)

CCLB tools and resources to help ESL professionals include: CLB 2000: ESL for Adults, ESL for Literacy Learners, A Guide to Implementation, Theoretical Framework, Additional Sample Task Ideas; CLB database of resources; posters; Can do checklists; assessment tools (Summative Assessment Manual; Integrating Assessment into your ESL Classroom), sample CLB lesson plans, language training for the workplace, CCLB and community colleges, and others (see CLB for Professionals). Visit www.language.ca and see the For ESL Professionals menu.

In addition, the CCLB offers free online professional development modules: CLB Boot Camp Module, CLB for Lesson Planning, and CLB for Classroom Assessment. See the CLB Online Professional Development menu.

Coalition for Equal Access to Education

Resources provided by the Coalition for Equal Access to Education are of direct interest to teachers of both K-12 learners and adult ESL parents. These include: Toward Innovative Vision for Quality, Equitable ESL Education – Full Report; Toward Active Parental Participation: A Practical Guide to Working with Immigrants; Toward Cultural Competency: A Practical Guide to Facilitate Active Participation of Culturally Diverse Families in Schools; Immigrant Children in Focus: Maps of Needs, Strategies and Existing Resources, and others. Visit www.eslaction.com.

English Express

This newspaper for adult learners of English in Alberta is published 8 times a year from September to May. It includes news reports, articles of relevance to newcomers, learners' stories, word games, and teaching notes for tutors and instructors. The articles are archived on a companion website, which provides listening practice and learning activities. English Express is available free of charge to educational programs for adults, to libraries and to agencies in Alberta. New subscriptions are not available to K to 12 schools. Visit www.englishexpress.ca/.

Culture Websites

The following links provide information on the cultures and home countries of newcomers to Canada. This information will be useful to teachers, sponsors, and the community at large.

Centre for Intercultural Learning (Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada)

http://www.intercultures.ca
Country Insights provides information on 211 countries (e.g., history, geography, culture, politics, economy, media). For selected countries with close ties to Canada, cultural interpreters provide local and Canadian perspectives on topics such as conversations, communication styles, religion, class, ethnicity, gender, hierarchy and decision-making, stereotypes, and recommended books, films, and foods. The site also publishes Intercultures magazine and provides articles, discussion papers, book review, readings on intercultural topics, and government publications.

Cultural Profiles Project (CIC and University of Toronto's AMNI Centre, 1998, 2002)

http://www.cp-pc.ca/
This site includes information on 105 countries (e.g., history, geography, family life, food, communicating, holidays, education, arts and literature). Designed to support CIC's Host Program, it also provides websites and reading suggestions on specific cultures. A link from the main page lists related websites (e.g., Immigration and Refugee Board, New Internationalist, Amnesty International, UNICEF, CIA) that provide up-to-date information on the countries in this project.

Earth Day Canada's award winning EcoKids Program,

http://www.ecokids.ca
a free online environmental education resource, has been a pioneering leader in the development of environmental lesson plans for ESL learners for over five years. With over 7.2 million unique visitors over the last school year, and more then 13 000 schools and youth groups actively engaged in the program, EcoKids is a leading resource for teachers, students and families.

Newcomer Finances Toolkit

Accessing, understanding, and using financial services effectively are important components of economic security and successful integration into Canadian society.

From day-to-day banking to income tax, investments, insurance, and government support programs, there is a wide range of knowledge and skills for newcomers to master.

The Newcomer Finances toolkit from the Ottawa Community Loan Fund is packed with practical information that newcomers need to know about finances in Canada, along with suggested activities to explain the concepts and put them into practice.  Use a whole unit or select a worksheet to address a specific question with your newcomer group.  Try out the online practice bank machine and debit card machine!  The toolkit is available free from the OCLF website at www.oclf.org.

Comments from toolkit users:

“I feel that the toolkit enables me to handle the teaching of finances and banking more competently.”

“The resource is useful and helpful.  The content should be known by each immigrant.”

“It's a wonderful work, user friendly and detailed.”

“They all love the practice machines, especially the debit machine.”

“The instructor’s guide is an excellent support with ideas on how to tailor the material to suit the needs of the group; so necessary when dealing with newcomers.”

“Excellent toolkit.  Adapted well to newcomer needs, very detailed, great resources.  I can’t believe how much information there is, and I appreciate its accuracy.”