Critical Thinking Skills and Academic Language for Advanced ESOL and ABE Learners

Who are our learners? What do you know about your learner? What can they already do? ON YOUR SHEET, ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: What questions do you have about teaching your learner?

Who are our learners? Take two minutes and share your answers

What do they still need? Fine tuning Fluency Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension Writing composition skills Note taking Idioms

Today We Will Cover Using complex text – the what and why Defining levels using Lexile Finding complex texts Diving into complex text Introducing academic language Moving towards complex writing Teaching tips for advanced learners

College and Career Readiness StandardsWorkforce Innovation and Opportunity Passage of WIOA is vital to the modernization of the nation’s workforce development system. WIOA introduces a renewed system which will ensure access for all individuals, of every skill level…to pursue the skills, training, and education they need to obtain employment that will lead to financial stability and economic security for themselves and their families. Employers will also have the assurance that trained and qualified workers will be available to fill their current and future openings. “……to forge a stronger link among adult education, post secondary education, and the world of work.” Today we will look at ways to “up the rigor” Incorporating critical thinking and complex texts that meet the standards of CCRS

Use Complex Texts What are complex texts? What a learner reads or listens to that has higher level vocabulary, grammar and syntax. What are complex texts? What a learner reads or listens to that has higher level vocabulary, grammar and syntax. The IRIS Center Peabody College Vanderbilt University

Simplified Versus Complex What are complex texts? What a learner reads or listens to that has higher level vocabulary, grammar and syntax. What are complex texts? What a learner reads or listens to that has higher level vocabulary, grammar and syntax. Simplified Text Complex Text The IRIS Center Peabody College Vanderbilt University

Defining Level What is Lexile? The research says advanced learners should be reading at a 6 th - 8 th grade level. (Lexile ) The research says advanced learners should be reading at a 6 th - 8 th grade level. (Lexile ) Tool that gauges complexity and predicts comprehension rate (75-80%). Measures sentence length and vocabulary. Allows a learner to encounter new vocabulary and sentence structure without interfering with comprehension. My two favorites websites:

Examples of Complex Texts Newspapers Internet articles Websites Authentic texts in their own life Other Authentic Examples Does it just have to be text? NPR Websites Music Video clips

Diving into Complex Texts How do we use complex texts? Integrate all four skills How do we use complex texts? Integrate all four skills First, read or listen to a complex text and do one or more of the following:

Dive in further…….ask F.I.R.E. questions F actual (Gathering factual information and apply it to a given problem) Who? When? Where? How many? I nsightful (“Big picture”) What? Which? Why? How? What if? R ational (Logical connections among facts and issues in a situation) What? How? What steps? E valuative (Recognizing and articulating feelings and value) What? How? Why? Ask questions that address the four types of thinking: Let’s put it into practice

Use Complex Text to Discuss Idioms What does the research say? 1.Have them reread or listen for phrases they don’t know. Have them jot it down or highlight. 2.Ask them what they think it means (they won’t be able to guess). 3.Have them look it up and then add the definition next to the phrase. Check to make sure it’s spelled right. Remember… You can have them bring these in from “outside” too Remember… You can have them bring these in from “outside” too

Teaching Tips: Let the Learner Lead Connect to motivation and goals Use subjects they are interested Use real life problems Choose the appropriate level, but let the learner choose content Create a blog Do a video project

Teaching Tips: Self Editing A lot of the grammar and pronunciation errors have now fossilized. What do we do to “undo”? Start a portfolio. Go through and show trends and patterns. Record the correct next to the incorrect and show the difference. Show them cognitively the difference Minimal Pair Drills : Interactive English Pronunciation Fun With Pictures Connect to life experience and motivation

Reflection What did you learn? What are you going to take with you and try immediately?